Two individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a scheme that targeted senior citizens across four states, resulting in the collection of large sums of cash and gold bars. The indictment, returned on February 19, charges Tejas Bhupendrabhai Patel, 31, from Toledo, and Navya Umeshkumar Bhatt, 22, an Indian citizen studying at the University of Toledo on an F1 visa.
The charges include money laundering conspiracy, concealment money laundering, and promotion money laundering.
According to information gathered during a continuing wire fraud and money laundering investigation, federal agents uncovered a scheme where victims were convinced they were communicating with representatives from their bank or federal agencies such as the FBI, Social Security Administration, or Federal Trade Commission. The suspects allegedly used fear tactics—sometimes including threats of criminal prosecution—to manipulate victims into withdrawing funds from savings or retirement accounts. Victims were then instructed to convert these funds into cash or gold bars and hand them over to individuals posing as bank employees or federal agents. The accused and their associates reportedly traveled long distances to collect the assets directly from victims.
As detailed in the complaint and supporting affidavit, Patel and Bhatt—or others involved—traveled from Toledo to various locations including Toledo, Hudson, Sylvania, and Columbus in Ohio; Oscoda and Ann Arbor in Michigan; West Newton in Pennsylvania; and South Bend in Indiana.
The FBI’s Toledo Resident Agency is leading the investigation. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Melching for the Northern District of Ohio.
If found guilty, each defendant could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by the court after considering factors unique to each case such as prior criminal history, involvement level in the offense, and other relevant details.
Officials note that “an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
