U.S. authorities target fraud schemes targeting elderly victims

Authorities in the United States have arrested individuals involved in separate fraud schemes targeting elderly victims through impersonation scams.

In New Jersey, 21-year-old Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami faces charges for allegedly acting as a money mule for overseas scammers. Prosecutors claim Goswami helped facilitate the transfer of over $7.5 million from at least nine elderly victims in New York and New Jersey. The scheme involved scammers posing as law enforcement or government officials to convince victims to hand over cash or gold. After being released on pretrial detention, Goswami allegedly fled the U.S. via Canada but was arrested by Canadian authorities at a gate in Toronto while attempting to fly to Doha. He is currently awaiting extradition.

In Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania, 35-year-old Jian Jian Yu was arrested following an alleged scam where a resident was targeted for $40,000. The victim was reportedly threatened with arrest for money laundering if they did not leave cash outside for pickup. The victim contacted authorities before any money was lost. Yu faces multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy and financial exploitation of an older adult.