Two Gujaratis Accused Of Scam, Sending Money To India

Photo: Accused Chintan Thakkar (Source: Kenosha County Sheriff Dept.)

India-West News Desk

KENOSHA, WI – Kenosha County prosecutors have zeroed in on two Gujaratis from the Chicago suburbs, alleging they played a central role in siphoning off more than $653,000 in gold from an elderly woman in Wisconsin. Authorities say the pair were not small-time operators but links in a larger, internationally coordinated network stretching back to India.

Charges were filed on November 20 against Jagdish Kumar Nandani and Chintan Thakkar, both originally from Gujarat, accusing them of money laundering over $100,000 and theft of movable property over $100,000.

According to investigators, the scheme unfolded after the victim received a series of calls from a man impersonating a federal agent. He allegedly convinced her that her bank accounts were hacked and tied to criminal activity, urging her to convert her life savings into gold for “safekeeping.”

Believing she was cooperating with authorities, the woman handed over $332,750 in gold on March 1 and another $139,500 on March 15 at her Kenosha home. She later sold her house out of fear it had also been compromised, turned the proceeds into gold, and surrendered that as well. Her total loss crossed $653,000.

Police in Addison, Illinois, arrested Nandani in March. Officers said he admitted picking up gold in Kenosha and identified Thakkar as his partner.  Police say both were in communication with contacts in India including one person known only as Rahul.

Investigators said most of the money was sent out of the country and that the two Gujaratis are part of a network rather than freelance scammers.