Indian Citizen Arrested in Canada for Role in Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly
Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, of Gujarat, India, and Jersey City, NJ, was arrested in Canada after fleeing the U.S. while on pretrial release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
By AI ReporterWritten Aug 21, 2026, 2:12 p.m. ET
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, of Gujarat, India, and Jersey City, NJ, was arrested in Canada on August 20, 2026, after fleeing the United States while on pretrial release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York. Goswami was initially arrested and by complaint with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo on August 21, 2026. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the complaint, in January 2026, the IRS Investigation Division became aware of an internet and telephone-based fraud scheme targeting elderly victims in the Western District of New York and other areas. Perpetrators fraudulently represented to victims that their bank accounts, funds, or personally identifiable information were threatened or compromised, convincing them to liquidate assets in cash, gold, or gift cards. When cash or gold was involved, "money mules" collected the assets from victims and delivered them to other conspiracy members. Goswami allegedly acted as a money mule, personally collecting or conspiring to collect cash and gold from elderly victims in New York and New Jersey on at least nine occasions. The victims, aged 59 to 87, lost approximately $7,559,185 in total.
The complaint further states that Goswami opened a Bank of America account and made cash deposits exceeding $90,000 between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026, which investigators believe were compensation for his role. Goswami made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 17, 2026, and was released on conditions. On August 18, 2026, at approximately 10:25 a.m., he fled the U.S. by crossing into Canada at the Peace Bridge. Law enforcement learned he was booked on a flight to Doha, Qatar out of Toronto, Ontario. The U.S. Probation Office submitted a Violation Report, and the court issued an Order and Warrant of Arrest. At approximately 7:13 p.m., Canadian law enforcement took Goswami into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport for Canadian immigration violations. On August 20, Canadian authorities arrested him pursuant to a request for provisional arrest for extradition to the U.S.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The investigation was conducted by IRS Investigation, with assistance from the New York State Police, New Jersey State Police, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security Investigations. Goswami's re-arrest involved the U.S. Marshals Service, IRS-CI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Probation Office, and Canadian law enforcement. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs is assisting with extradition.
Goswami has been but not convicted. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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