'They come to steal': Indian sentenced to 18 years in prison for scamming senior citizens in US, overstayed student visa
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 22, 2026
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A 23-year-old Indian man, Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme that targeted elderly individuals in the United States. Sathawane entered the U.S. on a student visa but overstayed it, becoming an illegal immigrant. He participated in an international fraud operation where he exploited trusting seniors by convincing them to liquidate their retirement accounts and surrender gold. As a courier, he collected over $6.6 million from victims in states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. His actions have drawn attention not only for the severity of the crime but also due to right-wing commentary linking it to broader concerns about visa abuse under the Biden administration.
Sathawane's primary operation was based in Florida, though he traveled extensively to fulfill his role in the scheme. Court documents revealed that some co-conspirators were operating from India, highlighting the transnational nature of the fraud. Sathawane preyed on his victims' trust and fear, persuading them to hand over their life savings. His case has been seized upon by MAGA-aligned commentators as an example of what they describe as widespread visa abuse and fraud committed by individuals from India.
The FBI's involvement underscores the seriousness of the investigation. Jason Carley, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Jacksonville office, emphasized that Sathawane's actions caused significant harm to elderly victims, many of whom lost substantial sums, including over $33 million in Florida alone last year due to gold scams. This case highlights a growing trend of exploitation targeting seniors, particularly through financial fraud schemes.
The broader context of the case extends beyond individual wrongdoing. It raises questions about the misuse of visas and immigration policies, which have become a focal point for political commentary. The situation reflects ongoing
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026