Man Agrees to Pay $1.6M in Restitution for Scam Targeting Seniors

Karanpreet Singh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in an international scheme that stole from elderly victims across multiple states.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A man named Karanpreet Singh has agreed to pay back more than $1.6 million as part of a plea deal in an international wire fraud conspiracy that targeted senior citizens across multiple states, including Michigan. Singh was part of a larger scheme where he and his co-conspirators, primarily based in India, used various tactics to steal money and valuables from elderly victims, including claiming their accounts were compromised or that they needed to transfer funds to federal agents.

Why it matters

Scams targeting the elderly are a growing concern, as seniors can be particularly vulnerable. This case highlights the scale and sophistication of these types of international fraud operations, which can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking down on these crimes that span multiple jurisdictions.

The details

According to court documents, Singh and his co-conspirators used multiple schemes to steal from victims, including telling them their Social Security numbers or Facebook accounts were compromised, or that their anti-virus software indicated their funds were used to purchase child pornography. They would then urge victims to call a number or transfer them to someone they believed could help, at which point another conspirator would claim to be a federal agent or bank employee. Singh would then often meet the victims in person to collect gold, silver or cash, which he was reimbursed for by other members of the conspiracy.

  • From March to June 2025, Singh was part of the larger conspiracy to steal from elderly victims.
  • In mid-June 2025, one victim in Portage, Michigan delivered $90,625 to Singh after he gave her a code matching the name 'Josh'.

The players

Karanpreet Singh

A man who has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and pay over $1.6 million in restitution as part of an international scam targeting senior citizens.

Victim M.L.A.

An elderly woman in Portage, Michigan who was one of the victims, withdrawing money from her bank, buying gold and Bitcoin, and delivering $90,625 to Singh as part of the scheme.

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What’s next

Singh is scheduled to be sentenced for his role in the conspiracy, with the potential for up to 20 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated international fraud schemes targeting vulnerable elderly populations, underscoring the need for increased awareness, prevention efforts, and stronger cross-border cooperation to crack down on these types of crimes.