An Indian national has been arrested and charged in the US for his alleged role as a "money mule" in a multi-million-dollar scheme targeting elderly victims. Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, a Gujarat native who lived in Jersey City, New Jersey, was detained in Canada while attempting to flee to Qatar. He was charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Friday. Goswami appeared before US Magistrate Judge Mark Pedersen on August 17 and was released under conditions. A day later, he crossed into Canada. Law enforcement learned he had booked a flight from Toronto to Doha, Qatar, on the evening of August 18.