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Indian national gets 48 months in Wisconsin fraud case
Indian citizen who collected $3.7 million from fraud victims across the United States receives 48-month prison sentence.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 30, Jul 2026
- 02:13 EDT
- 30
Representative Image / IANS
An Indian citizen was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after admitting to conspiring to commit money laundering in a fraud scheme that targeted victims across the United States, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced.
Roshan Shah, 22, was sentenced on July 27 by U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig, according to an announcement released July 29 by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Shah was convicted of conspiring to commit money laundering after collecting proceeds from a scheme that defrauded victims of more than $3.7 million.
According to court records, Shah is an Indian citizen who was studying in Canada on a student visa. He entered the United States on a visitor visa to collect money obtained through fraud.
Prosecutors said Shah's co-conspirators in India contacted victims by phone and falsely claimed their identities had been used to commit crimes. The callers convinced victims they had to hand over cash or gold to a supposed federal agent for safekeeping. Authorities said Shah posed as that agent and collected the valuables from victims.
Court records show Shah collected more than $3.7 million from 15 victims across the United States. He was arrested in New Berlin, Wisconsin, while attempting to collect what he believed were additional fraud proceeds using the same scheme.
At sentencing, Judge Ludwig highlighted the seriousness of Shah's conduct and the harm caused to the victims, many of whom were elderly and considered vulnerable.
"This case highlights the danger faced by Americans from fraudsters both here and overseas," said Brad D. Schimel, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
"This conviction and sentence are the result of the intensive efforts of federal law enforcement working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat the scourge of fraud targeting our seniors. This case should serve as a reminder that we will continue to devote substantial resources to fighting fraud, holding scammers accountable, and protecting Americans from these schemes," Schimel added.
Eric Rice, assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations Wisconsin, said the agency would continue pursuing transnational fraud networks.
"Homeland Security Investigations remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the American public from transnational fraud schemes that target our most vulnerable citizens," Rice said.
"This case demonstrates the impact of coordinated law enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal networks that prey on victims across borders. We will continue to work with our partners to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who seek to exploit and defraud members of our communities."
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations and the New Berlin Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and Peter Smyczek.
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