Indian Students Arrested in US for Scamming Elderly Using Crypto
In a concerning case that has sparked both legal and diplomatic interest, two Indian students in the United States have been arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly individual in a fraudulent scheme involving cryptocurrency and gold. Identified as Mahammadilham Vahora and Hajiali Vahora, both 24 years old, the duo has been charged with theft, robbery against an at-risk person, and money laundering related to illegal investments.
According to a statement released by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the two students are currently being held in El Paso County Jail. They were apprehended after a lengthy investigation that began in October 2024, following a complaint from an elderly resident who reported being scammed through an elaborate phone call. The suspects were traced through cellphone tower data, ultimately leading authorities to their location and arrest.
The students were both enrolled at East-West University in Chicago, Illinois, and were in the United States on valid student visas. The case has raised concerns about cross-border scams and the vulnerability of elderly citizens to increasingly sophisticated fraudulent operations.
The incident came to light when the elderly victim contacted the Regional Communications Center of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. According to the report, the victim stated they had received a phone call from someone posing as a "government agent." The caller used intimidation tactics, including threats of legal action and asset seizure, convincing the elderly individual that they were under investigation and needed to cooperate.
Following a series of coercive interactions, the victim was instructed to send funds via a cryptocurrency ATM and to purchase gold from a local distributor. In a shocking development, the suspects reportedly met the victim in person to collect the gold, posing as government officials. This level of direct contact added a chilling dimension to what has typically been a remote and anonymous crime.
As the investigation unfolded, law enforcement officials discovered that the two students may be linked to a broader network of scams targeting vulnerable populations across multiple states in the US. Sheriff Joseph Roybal emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “Shame on anyone who defrauds our elderly citizens. Scammers are around every corner, and it is crucial for families and friends to be talking to their elderly loved ones about the signs of a scam phone call or email.”
The sheriff’s office reported a recent surge in phone scams, particularly those involving impersonators claiming to be bank fraud investigators, government agents, or IT security specialists. Victims are frequently instructed to convert their assets into untraceable forms such as crypto or precious metals and to hand them over under the pretense of protecting their finances.
This case highlights the growing intersection between technological fraud and real-world criminal interactions. Crypto ATMs, which offer little oversight or traceability, are becoming a favored tool for scammers. The use of gold further complicates recovery efforts, as it is easy to resell and difficult to trace.
The arrest of Mahammadilham and Hajiali Vahora serves as a grim reminder of how educated individuals can still engage in criminal activity under the guise of opportunity. While they may have come to the US to study, their actions—if proven guilty—represent a severe breach of trust not only between host and guest countries but also between communities and the institutions meant to protect them.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has urged all residents to remain vigilant and to educate their elderly family members about common scam tactics. "Never give crypto, cash, or gold to someone claiming to be involved in a bank, IT, or government investigation," the office warned. In addition, officials have encouraged victims to report suspicious phone calls or in-person encounters immediately, no matter how convincing the scammers may sound.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities suggesting that there may be more victims spread across different regions of the country. If that proves to be true, additional charges could be brought, and further arrests may follow. Coordination with federal agencies is also underway to assess the full scope of the operation and whether the suspects were working independently or as part of a larger criminal ring.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case will likely spark conversations around student visa monitoring, financial security education, and the broader implications of crypto-based scams. For now, both suspects await their court hearings, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office continues its work to bring justice to the victim and any others impacted by this disturbing scheme.
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