Ligneshkumar H. Patel was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud for acting as a money mule in an impostor scheme that stole about $2.23 million from at least 11 elderly victims across five states. Authorities said the broader conspiracy targeted dozens more with intended losses exceeding $6.9 million and involved international, courier-style operations.

A federal court sentenced Ligneshkumar H. Patel to 90 months imprisonment on Dec. 24, 2025, following his guilty plea to conspiracy and wire fraud for functioning as a money mule in a large impostor-scam ring that targeted elderly victims. Prosecutors detailed that Patel helped receive and move proceeds of a scheme that netted approximately $2.23 million from at least 11 seniors across five states, and that the wider conspiracy sought to victimise dozens more with intended losses exceeding $6.9 million. Investigators described the operation as international in scope, often using couriers and coordinated collection points to rapidly convert stolen funds and evade detection. The sentence reflects federal focus on elder fraud and the central role of money mules and logistics networks that enable transnational scams. Authorities emphasized multiagency cooperation, victim restitution efforts where feasible, and continued outreach to seniors about impostor tactics, including pressure to transfer assets, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and claims of imminent legal jeopardy requiring immediate payment.