The defendant, Sukhdev Vaid, aged 24, hailing from Haryana, India, admitted guilt in December 2023 to charges of wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy oversaw the case and decreed that upon completion of his prison term, Vaid would face deportation and be required to pay restitution of $1,236,470.
U.S. Attorney Laslovich commended the FBI for their diligence, emphasizing that perpetrators like Vaid would face consequences for exploiting trusting individuals. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Shohini Sinha, highlighted the rise of “Phantom Hacker” scams, cautioning against unsolicited communications and urging vigilance in protecting personal information.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino underscored the role of law enforcement in apprehending individuals like Vaid and emphasized the need for public awareness to prevent such scams. He noted the emotional and financial toll on victims and encouraged vigilance in safeguarding personal information.
How the scam as detected
Victims shared their experiences, expressing feelings of violation and distrust as a result of the fraud. One victim lamented the financial impact, which hindered their ability to afford basic necessities, while another spoke of the loss of peace of mind and trust in others.
The government’s investigation revealed a larger criminal enterprise based in India, targeting elderly Americans. The case in Montana emerged when Glacier Bank alerted the FBI to the fraud against a 73-year-old woman in Kalispell. The fraudsters employed pop-up notices to deceive victims into believing their computers had been compromised, subsequently directing them to transfer money. In this instance, the victim complied, handing over $150,000 in cash.
Upon learning of the scam, the FBI intervened, orchestrating a sting operation resulting in the arrest of Vaid and his co-defendant, Eddly Joseph. The investigation uncovered the use of remote access software installed on the victim’s computer.
Joseph had previously been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for his involvement in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon handled the prosecution, with support from the FBI and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in conducting the investigation.
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