Parikh & Patel Convicted in $Million Phone Scam

ATLANTA – In a stunning victory for justice, Pradip Parikh, 67, of Valley Stream, New York, and Alpesh Patel, 40, of Louisa, Virginia, have been found guilty for their roles in a multi-million dollar transnational telephone scam that bilked unsuspecting Americans out of millions. After a five-day jury trial, the duo faces significant consequences for their despicable actions.

Their scheme targeted vulnerable citizens, many elderly, by posing as Social Security Administration (SSA) officials. The defendants exploited the public’s trust in federal institutions, convincing victims that their assets were at risk and directing them to transfer funds into accounts controlled by Parikh and Patel. The jury’s verdict is a clear message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated.

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “This case involved a scheme to defraud multiple victims – many of whom were elderly – and to callously rob them of their hard-earned savings.” Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Michelle L. Anderson, echoed these sentiments, underscoring that protecting our most vulnerable community members is critically important.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed chilling details of how the scam operated. One 70-year-old victim from New Jersey was told she would be arrested and lose all her assets unless she transferred over $600,000 into designated accounts. A widowed mother of eight transferred over $300,000 to an account controlled by Parikh. Patel, on the other hand, was linked to the “Seven Points Agency” account, which received more than $100,000 in two days.

Both Parikh and Patel were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and substantive counts of money laundering. The jury’s decision holds Patel accountable for all counts, while Parikh was convicted on two counts. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who weaponize fear and deceit to commit fraud will be pursued by law enforcement.

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