Portage Man Convicted of International Telemarketing Scam Targeting Elderly

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — A jury in the Western District of Michigan has convicted Portage resident Irfan Gill, 62, on 7 counts of mail fraud and 11 counts of money laundering. Gill’s international telemarketing fraud targeted elderly victims nationwide.

The scam, which began as early as June 2018 and continued until at least March 2022, operated out of a call center in Pakistan. Gill claimed to run several non-existent businesses, including Cable Upgrade, D Network, and Dish Satellite, offering victims upgrades and discounts for their services. Despite not providing any real service, he instructed his victims to send payments to his post office boxes.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “Mr. Gill ran a multi-year, international telemarketing scam targeting American citizens”. “Today’s conviction secures a measure of justice for his unsuspecting victims. We will continue to hold perpetrators accountable, whether here in the U.S. or abroad.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office estimates that Gill victimized over 1,400 people across the country. He faces up to 30 years in prison on the mail fraud charges and up to 20 years for money laundering.

According to federal law enforcement, Gill used money transfer services like Remitly and Western Union to pay his telephone solicitors. The scheme’s endgame was to redirect payments from unsuspecting victims into Gill’s own bank accounts.

For those looking to protect themselves against such scams, federal authorities offer a list of tips: be cautious of unsolicited communications, never share sensitive information with unverified sources, and resist the pressure to act quickly. If you suspect a scam attempt, immediately end all communication with the perpetrator.

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