Gujarat Man Held in Canada After Allegedly Fleeing US in $7.5 Million Elderly Fraud Case

A 21-year-old Gujarat man accused of being part of a $7.5-million fraud scheme targeting elderly victims in the United States was arrested in Canada after allegedly fleeing less than 24 hours after being granted pretrial release and attempting to board a flight to Doha, US authorities said.

According to The Indian Express, Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, an Indian citizen from Gujarat who had been living in Jersey City, New Jersey, faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Released By US Court, Crossed Into Canada Next Morning

Goswami appeared before US Magistrate Judge Mark W Pedersen on August 17 and was released subject to conditions.

According to the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York, he crossed the Peace Bridge into Canada at around 10.25 am the following morning. Authorities subsequently learnt that he had booked a flight from Toronto to Doha scheduled for later that evening.

The US Probation Office filed a violation report, following which a court issued an arrest warrant.

Canadian authorities took Goswami into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport at around 7.13 pm local time on immigration violations. He was formally arrested on August 20 after the United States sought his provisional arrest pending extradition.

Elderly Victims Allegedly Lost $7.5 Million

The criminal complaint relates to an alleged Internet- and telephone-based fraud scheme that targeted elderly people in western New York and other parts of the United States.

Investigators alleged that victims were falsely told their bank accounts, funds or personal information had been compromised. They were then allegedly persuaded to convert their assets into cash, gold or gift cards.

The alleged fraudsters also impersonated law-enforcement personnel and other officials to convince victims that their savings were at risk, according to the complaint.

Where victims handed over cash or gold, the alleged network used “money mules” to physically collect and transfer the valuables. Investigators have alleged that Goswami was one of those involved.

Accused of Collecting Cash and Gold on Nine Occasions

US investigators alleged that Goswami either personally collected or conspired to collect cash and gold from elderly victims on at least nine occasions in New York and New Jersey.

The victims were aged between 59 and 87 and collectively lost approximately $7,559,185, according to the US Attorney's Office.

Investigators also examined Goswami's banking activity and alleged that he deposited more than $90,000 in cash into a Bank of America account between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026.

According to the complaint, investigators believe the cash deposits were consistent with payments allegedly received by Goswami for acting as a money mule in the wider fraud operation.

US Seeks Extradition From Canada

The investigation began after the IRS Criminal Investigation Division became aware of the alleged scheme in January 2026.

The probe has involved the IRS Criminal Investigation division, New York State Police, New Jersey State Police and New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security Investigations. Goswami's arrest in Canada also involved the US Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, US Border Patrol, the US Probation Office and Canadian law-enforcement authorities.

The US Justice Department's Office of International Affairs is assisting efforts to secure his extradition from Canada.

US authorities stressed that the charges against Goswami are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.