Who is Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel? Indian Student Arrested for Duping US Elderly Couple

US police arrested an Indian student, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, in Toledo, Ohio, for allegedly scamming an elderly couple in Michigan. Authorities say Patel tricked the couple into handing over $50,000 (around Rs 44 lakh) by pretending to be a government officer.

How the Scam Happened

Police revealed that Patel contacted the victims through email, claiming their credit card was used to buy child pornography. He posed as a federal officer and convinced the couple to withdraw cash. Patel then instructed them to deliver the money to a fake “Treasury Department agent.”

Using license plate cameras and search warrants, investigators tracked Patel’s movements from Ohio to Michigan, where he collected the cash.

Who is Vedantkumar Patel?

Vedantkumar Patel, 25, studied Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Toledo. He previously pursued aeronautics in India before moving to the US.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Patel worked as a Product Engineer at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in Ohio since September 2024. Before that, he worked at LogistiQ in Port Clinton, Ohio, and also in the service industry at Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services. In India, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Tilak Engineering Works from 2018 to 2021.

He lived in Toledo before his arrest.

Money Sent to India

Investigators believe Patel had already sent the stolen money to India before his arrest. Police say he may have been planning to cheat more victims.

Patel now faces multiple felony charges, including false pretenses involving $50,000 or more and larceny involving $20,000 or more. His bond has been set at $100,000 cash surety.

FBI and ICE Take Over Case

The FBI has taken over the case for federal prosecution. Meanwhile, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Patel due to his visa status.

Authorities warn that scams targeting senior citizens are on the rise. Officials described these crimes as “especially cruel” because they exploit the most vulnerable.

Similar Scams by Indian Students

Patel’s arrest is the latest in a series of fraud cases involving Indian students in the US. In recent months, three other Indian nationals have been arrested for scamming elderly Americans by pretending to be government officers.

The FBI had already issued a warning earlier this year about such scams, urging people to stay alert against fake calls and emails.