An Indian-origin man accused of running a large fraud scheme across the United States is now on the radar of federal authorities, with the FBI seeking information on his whereabouts.
Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel, also known as “Kenny” Patel, is wanted for his alleged role in a nationwide scam that targeted multiple victims between 2017 and 2021. According to officials, the scheme involved deceiving people into sending large sums of money under false pretences.
The FBI said victims were often contacted over the phone and misled into believing their personal information or identities were linked to criminal activity.
They were then persuaded to transfer money, usually in the form of cash or prepaid debit cards, to various addresses across the country.
Patel also goes by aliases including “Mecco”, “Kenny”, Kalpeshkumar R. Patel and Kalpesh Patel, is described as a 33-year-old male born on May 17, 1991, in India. He has black hair, brown eyes, stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds. He has worked as a fuel station attendant, cashier and store worker.
Authorities believe he may be living in or travelling between the US states of Illinois and Pennsylvania.
A federal arrest warrant was issued against Patel on June 22, 2023, in Kentucky. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
The FBI has classified Patel as a fugitive and warned that any information about his location should be treated as significant. Members of the public have been urged to contact their nearest FBI office or American embassy if they have relevant details.
In another case, the FBI increased the reward to up to $1,000,000 for information leading to the arrest of Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, earlier this month. Patel is another Indian national who is wanted for the 2015 killing of his wife, Palak Patel, at a doughnut shop in Hanover, Maryland, where they both worked. Investigators say he fled after the incident and has remained at large since then. Authorities believe he may have left the United States.
