The Indian national was arrested in Canada following a US request for provisional arrest pending extradition. (Image for representation: Magnific)An Indian national has been arrested in the US for his alleged role as a “money mule” in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme targeting elderly victims.Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, a native of Gujarat who was living in Jersey City, New Jersey, was detained in Canada while allegedly attempting to flee to Qatar.Goswami was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.Goswami appeared before US Magistrate Judge Mark Pedersen on August 17 and was released under certain conditions. The following day, he crossed into Canada. US authorities later learned that he had booked a flight from Toronto to Doha scheduled for the evening of August 18.Also Read | Indian man declared bankrupt in Singapore after failing to pay wages to 400 workersCanadian authorities detained him at Toronto Pearson International Airport and formally arrested him on August 20 following a US request for provisional arrest pending extradition.Elderly victims allegedly tricked into handing over cash and goldAccording to the complaint, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division began investigating an internet and telephone-based fraud scheme in January 2026. The alleged scheme targeted elderly people in New York’s Western District and other parts of the US.The perpetrators allegedly contacted victims and falsely claimed that their bank accounts, money or personal information had been compromised. They then persuaded them to convert their assets into cash, gold or gift cards.Story continues below this adThe suspects allegedly later posed as law enforcement officers or other officials to convince victims to hand over the valuables. When cash or gold was involved, “money mules” were allegedly used to collect the valuables from victims and deliver them to other members of the network.Goswami is accused of acting as one such money mule. Investigators allege that he personally collected, or conspired to collect, cash and gold from elderly victims in New York and New Jersey on at least nine occasions.The nine victims were between 59 and 87 years old and collectively lost around $7.5 million, according to the complaint.Investigators trace more than $90,000 in cash depositsThe complaint further alleges that Goswami opened a bank account in the US and deposited more than $90,000 in cash between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026.Story continues below this adAlso Read | Indian captain arrested in UK over Russian oil: Wife calls him ‘scapegoat’Investigators believe the deposits were consistent with payments Goswami allegedly received for his role as a money mule in the fraud operation.The case remains an allegation at this stage, and Goswami is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:IndiaIndian