Indian man sentenced to 51 months in US prison for defrauding woman of $150,000
A 24-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to 51 months in prison by a US court for defrauding an elderly American woman of US$150,000 through a computer-hacking scheme, an American lawyer said.
The defendant, Sukhdev Vaid of Haryana, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December 2023.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said he defrauded the woman through an international computer-hacking scheme that targeted elderly Americans across the country and resulted in a total loss of more than US$1.2 million.
The court on Wednesday ordered that upon release from custody, Vaid will be sent to the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement for deportation and ordered Vaid to pay compensation of US$1,236,470.
“It has become all too common for people from outside our country to victimize Montanans, especially as it relates to wire fraud, and get away with it. But not this time. “Vaidya is going to federal prison because of the FBI’s sophistication and tenacity, for which I am grateful,” Laslovich said.
“’Phantom hacker’ scams impersonate fraudulent technical support, financial and government individuals to gain access to someone’s computer and personal information. Sadly, these scams are increasingly targeting our senior citizens. What adds to the depravity of this particular case is that the scammer traveled abroad to collect the victim’s money in person, said Shohini Sinha, Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City FBI.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said this is a reminder to all citizens that these scams occur frequently and can be devastating. “I urge everyone to exercise caution; Don’t allow strangers access to your computer, bank accounts or personal information,” he said.
In a statement to the court, the Montana victim said, “I feel so violated… I am stuck in a shell emotionally and do not want to be vulnerable in any way. I don’t know what to do anymore.” But I can safely trust. I don’t feel safe at all.”
A victim from outside Montana wrote to the court, “I drive a 2007 car, and this damage has prevented me from purchasing a new car. The cost of living continues to rise, making being on a fixed income no help. “I don’t get it. I’m not sure I’ll ever have peace of mind and trust others again. It’s costing me more than any financial loss.”
The government alleged in court documents that a large enterprise operating out of India was involved in stealing US$1,236,470 from elderly Americans. The Montana case came to light in February 2023, when Glacier Bank notified the FBI that Jane Doe, a 73-year-old woman in Kalispell, had been defrauded.
After becoming aware of the scam, the FBI employed a ruse in which Jane Doe told the fraudsters that she still had US$50,000 in cash.
The FBI arrested Vaid along with his co-defendant, Adley Joseph of Gainesville, Florida, when they went to Montana to collect the money.
The investigation revealed that the fraudsters remotely accessed Jane Doe’s computer using UltraViewer, which they installed on her computer.
Joseph was initially sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty in the case, a media release said.