US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a Bollywood singer and her husband at their home in connection with an alleged $4 million real estate fraud. Sidhartha ‘Sammy’ Mukherjee and his wife Sunita were initially charged with first-degree felony theft, Daily Mail reported.
The outlet further reported that after their arrest in June, they were granted bail with bond amounts of $5 lakh (approximately Rs 4.32 crore). However, while Sunita was released, Sammy was taken into custody by ICE and is currently being held at a detention facility.
Real estate scam and how it came to light?
Authorities allege that the couple carried out a real estate scam and tricked investors into putting money into fake property projects. The funds were reportedly diverted to projects that never existed.
The investigation began in 2024 when a couple approached ICE, claiming they had lost $320,000 (approximately Rs 28.04 million) in what appeared to be a real estate fraud. At first, officials believed it was a “small, civil dispute,” but it later turned out to be part of a “larger” scam, the publication further noted. Officials say that they are the “most prolific fraudsters” they have ever come across.
Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department said investigators uncovered forged invoices and fake contracts. Some of these documents falsely claimed approval from the Dallas Housing Authority for housing developments.
Until now, as per a report by the Daily Mail, $4 million (approximately Rs 345 crore) has been identified in confirmed losses, and at least 20 victims have so far come forward. Officials believe more than 100 people were impacted as part of the elaborate real estate scam.
Fake application for PPP loan
Not just this, the authorities also found out that they even applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan by submitting forged documents during the pandemic. The document listed employees who never existed, along with fake records of the company. When Sammy was shown the list of names on the document by the officials, he denied recognising any of them.
What was more on their cards? Well, they targeted senior citizens.
The couple would send threatening emails to senior citizens and warn them of arrest if they did not pay the quoted amount immediately. This tactic was reportedly used to extract large sums of money from vulnerable individuals.
The Bollywood couple, who have committed several frauds, hosted the Indian Traditions & Cultural Society of North America in 2024, a nonprofit organisation registered at their Plano home to further legitimise their activities.
If convicted, they can face a jail term from five to 99 years. They had reportedly moved to the US from India seeking asylum. However, the authorities say their current immigration status is not clear.
According to a report by CBS News, the couple also has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai.
The officials also said that there is a very grim chance of recovering money lost in the scam, as the couple must have spent it on buying cars, a house, and may even have moved them offshore or into crypto accounts. The couple filed for bankruptcy in 2024.