EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal judge sentenced Ligneshkumar H. Patel, a 38-year-old Indian national, to 90 months in prison on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, for his role in an imposter scheme that defrauded 11 identified victims, including elderly residents in Edwardsville and St. Louis. Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud, as well as two counts of wire fraud, and was ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution.
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The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Edwardsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
According to court documents, Patel acted as a courier, traveling to the homes of elderly victims in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin to collect money and gold, which totaled $2,231,216.99. The scheme was part of a larger conspiracy that involved at least 85 additional victims and resulted in intended losses exceeding $6.9 million.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft described imposter scams as “international conspiracies often using U.S.-based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money.” He emphasized that “the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes these fraudsters aggressively, and anyone who targets elderly victims will face certain justice.”
Imposter scams typically involve scammers impersonating law enforcement or federal officials to deceive victims into surrendering money, access to financial accounts, or personal information. In this case, Patel’s co-conspirators convinced victims they needed to turn over their assets for protection.
Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago, said the case “highlights the serious consequences for individuals who prey on the elderly through sophisticated fraud schemes.” He added that HSI “remains dedicated to protecting our communities from financial crimes and ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
