Federal authorities have arrested Samyag Uday Doshi, a 25-year-old Indian citizen living in Massachusetts on a student visa, for his alleged role in an elaborate scam that targeted seniors across Rhode Island and resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses.
Doshi, who lived in Dorchester, claimed to be a student at a Massachusetts university, according to The Boston Globe. He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud when he appeared in federal court on November 17. The prosecution described him as a cash “courier” in a sophisticated scheme that used deceit and terror to prey on elderly victims. Because of worries that he might leave the country, he has been ordered to be detained without bail.
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According to federal investigators, the scheme unfolded after a Newport senior received a voicemail about a fraudulent purchase. When the victim answered the phone, he was put in touch with con artists who pretended to be federal agents and said he was being investigated for money laundering and other offenses. If he did as they said, they would “help” him.
What began as a single phone call escalated into a three‑week ordeal. Investigators say the victim was manipulated into withdrawing large amounts of cash, mailing money out of state, and handing off envelopes to in-person couriers across Rhode Island. The scammers even pushed him to inquire about purchasing hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold bars, part of an attempted loss totaling $385,000.
The pivotal moment occurred when an old man tried to purchase more than $200,000 worth of gold and a gold dealer became suspicious. Authorities were contacted by the store, which led to a more extensive investigation. Eventually, detectives took control of the victim’s communications, fabricating a check and setting up a controlled transfer for the additional $45,000 that the scammers demanded.
When Doshi arrived at the meeting spot to retrieve the cash, officers moved in and arrested him.
Although Doshi initially claimed this was his first time acting as a courier, investigators discovered a photo on his phone showing him unboxing a gold bar, and he later admitted to multiple previous pickups. He was reportedly promised $500 for the transaction that led to his arrest and told officials he was reporting to someone he believed was in India. Authorities believe he served as a middleman in a much larger fraud network.
Federal investigations into the wider criminal operation remain active and ongoing.