On December 1, 2017, in the Southern District of Texas, Bhavdip Sanghavi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.1 Sanghavi was indicted for the offense on May 25, 2017.2 According to the court documents, from about June 2015 until May 2017, Sanghavi and a coconspirator knowingly conspired to intentionally devise a scheme to defraud and obtain money by means of false and fraudulent representations. Sanghavi and his coconspirator posed as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents and unlawfully pressured victims to send fictional delinquent taxes to persons in the Houston, Texas, area via wire or mail. They then utilized runners to acquire the money.3
The runners would provide the money to Sanghavi and his coconspirator, who would then give the runners a small payment for their participation.4
On May 9, 2017, TIGTA special agents arrested Sanghavi.5 On December 1, 2017, Sanghavi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in defrauding victims of more than $1.7 million during the conspiracy.6
Sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2018.7 Sanghavi could face a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000. In addition, he is subject to a mandatory special assessment fee, and there could be consequences pertaining to his immigration status if he is not a citizen of the United States. Additional legal actions are anticipated.8
1 S.D. Tex. Plea Agr. filed Dec. 1, 2017.
2 S.D. Tex. Indict. filed May 25, 2017.
3 Id.
4 Id.
5 S.D. Tex. Crim. Docket as of Dec. 27, 2017.
6 S.D. Tex. Plea Agr. filed Dec. 1, 2017.
7 S.D. Tex. Crim. Docket as of Dec. 27, 2017.