Samyag Uday Doshi, a 25-year-old Indian student in Massachusetts, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a multi-state elder fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable seniors.
Federal authorities have arrested Samyag Uday Doshi, a 25-year-old Indian citizen residing in Massachusetts on a student visa, for his alleged role in a sophisticated scam that targeted elderly individuals across Rhode Island, resulting in significant financial losses.
Doshi, who lived in Dorchester and claimed to be a student at a Massachusetts university, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud during his appearance in federal court on November 17. Prosecutors characterized him as a cash “courier” in a scheme that employed deceit and intimidation to exploit senior citizens. Due to concerns that he might flee the country, he has been ordered to remain in custody without bail.
According to federal investigators, the fraudulent operation began when a senior citizen in Newport received a voicemail regarding a fictitious purchase. Upon returning the call, the victim was connected with con artists posing as federal agents who claimed he was under investigation for money laundering and other serious offenses. They assured him that if he complied with their demands, they would assist him.
This initial phone call spiraled into a three-week ordeal. Investigators reported that the victim was manipulated into withdrawing substantial sums of cash, mailing money to locations outside the state, and handing over envelopes to in-person couriers throughout Rhode Island. The scammers even pressured him to inquire about purchasing hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold bars, contributing to an attempted loss totaling $385,000.
A critical turning point occurred when the victim attempted to buy over $200,000 worth of gold, prompting suspicion from a gold dealer. The store contacted law enforcement, which initiated a more extensive investigation. Detectives eventually took control of the victim’s communications, creating a fake check and arranging a controlled transfer for an additional $45,000 demanded by the scammers.
When Doshi arrived at the designated meeting spot to collect the cash, law enforcement officers intervened and arrested him. Initially, Doshi claimed that this was his first experience acting as a courier. However, investigators later discovered a photo on his phone that showed him unboxing a gold bar, and he subsequently admitted to participating in multiple previous pickups. He reportedly expected to receive $500 for the transaction that led to his arrest and indicated that he was reporting to someone he believed was in India.
Authorities suspect that Doshi was functioning as a middleman in a larger fraud network, and investigations into the broader criminal operation are ongoing.
According to The Boston Globe, federal authorities are continuing to pursue leads related to this extensive fraud scheme targeting vulnerable seniors.