14-year term for leader of scam that cost taxpayers millions

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

14-year term for leader of scam that cost taxpayers millions

Larry Neumeister and Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press
Updated 1:42 pm, Wednesday, July 8, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — A leader in an India-based scam that scared American taxpayers into sending millions of dollars because they thought the U.S. government was after them was sentenced Wednesday to more than 14 years in prison by a judge who said he wanted to send a message to others considering similar crimes.

Sahil Patel, 36, of Tatamy, Pennsylvania, sobbed as he apologized for his crimes before he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in Manhattan for conspiring to extort, to impersonate government officials and to commit wire fraud.

The judge said he needed to impose a "very serious sentence" to ensure adequate deterrence. Patel also must forfeit $1 million for crimes that stretched from December 2011 until his December 2013 arrest.

"The nature of this crime robbed people of their identities and their money in a way that causes people to feel they have been almost destroyed," Hellerstein said.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Prosecutors-seek-14-years-in-prison-for-leader-in-6372239.php

[pansypoo53219]

1. doesn't he owe US MORE MONEY??? only 1 mill?

[timdog44]

3. That is what I thought.

Only $1 million. Surely he has more spread around somewhere. Even if his family has it, take it from them, and leave them with enough to live the life they lead before this bastard.

[yellowcanine]

4. Yes, I would rather less prison time and more time working to pay back the victims.

[pennylane100]

2. I think I got a call like this one time.

Someone with with what I thought was an Indian accent got on the phone and started telling me I was in big trouble and I should act immediately to save myself from immediate arrest. It was a while ago and I do not remember the exact conversation. I was so amazed that he would expect me to take him seriously, I tried to engage him by asking a few questions. He could only threaten, not even give me a hint of what I had done to cause this problem. I got bored and hung up.

[seveneyes]

5. Why only 14 years?

What he did was no mistake and many more like him are still running their scams. Time to send a real message and put these home wreckers away for the rest of their miserable lives.

[pennylane100]

8. Well that is fourteen years more than we gave the Wall Street crooks

and they stole a lot more.

[Historic NY]

6. Where did all the money go...

he got 7 per cent. The debit cards must have been traceable. Time to take out the rest of the snake.

[olddots]

7. 21 century white collar crime

needs to be dealt with more severly , technology has brought a new weapon to the mix .

[MiniMe]

9. I got a call like that in March

It does scare you at first. I wasn't home, they left a message. Luckily, I know enough that I know that the IRS doesn't call you, they send letters. But I can understand how people are scammed by it.

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. I was hoping this was about Rick MedicareFraud Scott

[Thor_MN]

11. I got a robocall saying "the IRS is filing lawsuit against" me.

Use of language is a dead giveaway in a scam.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. .. his sobbing

What he did to people was so awful

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. I get these calls once in a while ...

... here's one (to be read with an accent from India):

"Hi this message is intended to contact you. My name is Steve Martin and I'm calling regarding an enforcement action executed by US Treasury intending your serious attention. Ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal. My number is 858-266-9032. I repeat 858-266-9032. I'd like you to cooperate with us and help us to help you. Thank you."