Jury Convicts Two Men in Social Security Imposter Call Center Scheme

The takeaway: the people who receive and move victims' money in the United States face serious federal charges, even when the calls come from overseas.

Here is what happened

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Parikh, Patel, and eight others were indicted in 2022 for running, promoting, and profiting from an India-based call center scam targeting Americans.

The callers typically said they were SSA employees. They told victims their Social Security numbers had been compromised in connection with criminal activity and offered to help "protect" their assets. Victims who went along were directed to send money to bank accounts controlled by Parikh, Patel, and other conspirators.

Several victims testified at trial:

1. A 70-year-old New Jersey victim testified that a caller told her she would be arrested and lose all her assets unless she transferred funds. She sent more than $600,000 of her life savings to multiple accounts, including $150,000 to an account called "JDM Management" that Parikh controlled.
2. A recently widowed mother of eight testified that she transferred more than $300,000 to the JDM Management account. Parikh laundered the funds, kept thousands, and sent the rest to a conspirator.
3. Other victims wired money to an account called "Seven Points Agency" that Patel controlled. The account was opened shortly before victim funds began arriving. More than $100,000 came in over two days. Patel kept about $10,000 and sent the rest to a conspirator.

The verdict

Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two substantive money laundering counts. The jury convicted Patel on all counts. It convicted Parikh of conspiracy to commit money laundering and the two substantive money laundering counts.

The wire fraud conspiracy count carries a maximum of 20 years. Each money laundering count carries a maximum of 10 years. Actual sentences are set by the court after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Sentencing was to be scheduled before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II.

The SSA Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office is part of the DOJ's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force.

Why it matters

Government impersonation scams depend on two things: a believable call and a place to send the money. This case focused on the second. Business-sounding names like "JDM Management" and "Seven Points Agency" gave the accounts an appearance of legitimacy.

For businesses, the lesson applies across the call path. The scheme required phone numbers, call routing, and payment channels in the United States. Each is a point where a responsible provider can notice and stop suspicious activity.

What this means for you

1. Carriers and call platforms should watch for government impersonation traffic and respond promptly to traceback requests.
2. Banks and payment providers should scrutinize new business accounts that receive sudden large deposits from elderly individuals.
3. Customer service teams should tell callers plainly that the SSA will not threaten arrest or demand money transfers.
4. Report suspected SSA impersonation to the SSA-OIG and the FBI.

No real agency will ask anyone to move money to protect it. That single message stops many of these schemes.