RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KNX) — A Riverside County man was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in prison for his alleged participation in what prosecutors have described as a $500,000 scheme to defraud the elderly.
Anuj “Mike” Patel, 32, of Lake Elsinore, collected cash mailed by victims who were approached by others pretending to be federal agents, threatening them with arrest on phony warrants.
Victims were allegedly told their Social Security numbers were linked to crimes, and that warrants had been issued for their arrests. To clear their names, victims were instructed to send cash by mail to the orchestrators of the con.
From 2019 to 2020, conspirators believed to be based in India called and threatened victims, ordering them to send parcels of cash to addresses in Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. Patel admitted to using tracking numbers to monitor victims’ mailings, and communicated with couriers who used fake IDs matching the names listed on the parcel addresses. Patel also admitted to receiving or intending to receive 18 parcels sent by victims.
The total loss to victims was $541,420. Patel said the scheme targeted at least 10 victims.
Two couriers involved in the plot, both from Lake Elsinore, also pleaded guilty in the case. Elmer Barrios, 37, is scheduled to be sentenced in May; William Barrios, also 37, was sentenced last year to time already served. The latter has been deported to Mexico, according to court documents.
Patel pleaded guilty in March of last year to one count of federal conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was ordered to pay $490,500 in restitution.
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