FBI on hunt for Indian national in mail and wire fraud conspiracy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the U.S. on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) said it has launched a hunt for Indian national Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel for allegedly defrauding multiple victims between 2017 and 2021.

In a post on X, the FBI said Patel, also known as Kenny Patel, would be about 35 and is believed to be residing or travelling between Illinois and Pennsylvania.

It said Patel, who worked as a fuel station attendant, is wanted for his alleged participation in a nationwide scheme to defraud multiple victims into transmitting large sums of money between 2017 and 2021. The FBI said many victims were contacted via telephone communications and deceived into believing their personal information or identities were associated with criminal activities. It said the victims were convinced to send funds, usually in the form of cash and prepaid debit cards, to addresses throughout the United States.

On June 22, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Patel in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, London, Kentucky, after he was charged with Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy. Patel is considered a fugitive from justice, and any information regarding his whereabouts should be treated as significant and actionable, the FBI said.

The FBI has asked to share information about Patel with the local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.