Two Indians have been arrested in the US on charges of defrauding at least 70 people in 32 states of more than $150,000, a media report said.
Nikita Natvarlal Patel, 25, and Akash Satish Patel, 32, residents of New Jersey’s Leonia city, would persuade their victims to pay up instantly in order to avoid being arrested for owing money to tax authorities, Jackson Observer reported on Saturday.
They were arrested on September 4 after police launched an investigation into a victim’s complaint.
Leonia Police chief Thomas P. Rowe said the alleged fraudsters were residents of India and that Nikita’s visa had expired.
Following their arrest, police have seized around $150,000 from their bank accounts.
The Patels are being held on $150,000 bail at the Bergen County Jail and charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception.