New York [US], August 22 : An Indian national living in New Jersey has been taken into custody in Canada following an international law enforcement operation after he allegedly fled the United States while on pretrial release for a multi-million-dollar elder fraud scheme, the US Department of Justice said on Friday.

Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, originally from Gujarat, India, was arrested by Canadian authorities at Toronto Pearson International Airport on August 20, 2026, pursuant to a US provisional arrest request for extradition.

He faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to a criminal complaint announced by US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, IRS Criminal Investigation uncovered a nationwide phone and internet scam in January 2026. Perpetrators frightened elderly victims into believing their bank accounts were compromised, convincing them to liquidate assets into cash or gold.

Investigators alleged Goswami acted as a "money mule," collecting cash and gold directly from elderly victims aged 59 to 87 across New York and New Jersey. In at least nine instances, the victims lost approximately $7,559,185.

Financial records show Goswami deposited over $90,000 in cash into a Bank of America account between August 2025 and April 2026, believed to be his compensation.

Following his initial court appearance on August 17, Goswami was released on conditions. The following day, he crossed into Canada via the Peace Bridge and booked a flight to Doha, Qatar out of Toronto.

Canadian law enforcement initially detained him at Pearson International Airport for immigration violations before executing the US extradition arrest.

The US Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs is currently working alongside Canadian authorities and the US Marshals Service to secure Goswami's extradition back to the United States.

The Justice Department clarified that the charges are allegations and that Goswami is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

"The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty," it said.