Three Defendants Indicted for Alleged Multi-State Fraud Scheme

Co-conspirators allegedly posed as federal agents to lure victims into converting retirement savings into gold GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that three defendants, two from New Jersey and one from India, were indicted on federal criminal charges related to alleged wire fraud. Christian Jalan Matthews, Taylor Nicole Mitchell-Meeks, and Sudeep Khurana are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for an alleged scheme to defraud victims out of their savings and retirement funds. The indictment charges that the three defendants were part of a plan, along with other bad actors, to convince victims—most of whom are elderly—that their identities or financial accounts were at risk. After luring victims in with false promises of helping them “secure” these accounts, the co-conspirators convinced them to convert their money to gold or other currency. Posing as federal agents, the co-conspirators then set up meetings with the victims where they would hand over their money for apparent “safekeeping.” The indictment alleges that the conspiracy resulted in the fraudulent receipt or attempted receipt of more than $3 million from at least five victims. If convicted, Matthews, Mitchell-Meeks, and Khurana face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney VerHey said, “The allegations are that these defendants posed as federal agents to prey on our elders. Well, now they have had the chance to meet some real federal agents, and will get to see how the federal criminal justice system works. I look forward to proving to a jury the full extent of their criminal conduct so that we can get justice for the victims.” “HSI is committed to protecting vulnerable members of our community especially seniors from scammers posing as federal agents,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “We take these schemes seriously and will ensure that our seniors who have worked and saved all their lives don’t have the rug pulled out from under them.” Kent County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Bryan Muir said, “These criminals deliberately targeted older adults by creating fear and impersonating trusted government officials. Law enforcement will never ask you to withdraw money, purchase gold, or turn over assets for ‘safekeeping', and we urge families to discuss these warning signs before a loved one is targeted. I am especially proud of our Sheriff’s Office team for turning a report into a proactive operation and working with Homeland Security Investigations to protect the victim and catch the suspects as the crime was unfolding.” Homeland Security Investigations Grand Rapids and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clint Westbrook is prosecuting it. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.