By: Dr. Avi Verma | Publisher, IndoUS Tribune

As the Indian-American community continues to make remarkable strides in politics, business, and academia, a disturbing pattern is emerging—one that threatens to overshadow decades of hard-earned respect: a wave of large-scale fraud cases involving members of our own diaspora. From healthcare scams to elder abuse and immigration fraud, these are no longer isolated incidents—they represent a systemic breach of trust that demands collective introspection.

A trail of fraud: Names that shame

Several high-profile cases from just the past year paint a damning picture:

• Dr. Mona Ghosh (Illinois): Convicted of $2.4 million in medical billing fraud; sentenced to 10 years for billing insurers for procedures never performed.
• Pranav Patel (New Jersey): Laundered $1.7 million in an elder fraud scheme; sentenced to over 6 years.
• Minal Patel (Georgia): Orchestrated a $463 million Medicare fraud; sentenced to 27 years.
• Rishi Shah & Shradha Agarwal (Chicago): Found guilty in a $1 billion investor fraud tied to Outcome Health.
• Kishore Dattapuram (California): Ran a fraudulent H-1B visa racket preying on foreign workers.
• Sidhartha & Sunita Mukherjee (Texas): Accused in a $4 million real estate and PPP loan scam targeting seniors.
• Tonmoy Sharma (California): Arrested for $149 million Sovereign Health fraud involving kickbacks and false claims.

And now, an Indian tourist has been caught stealing over $1,300 worth of goods from a Target store in Illinois—a petty but equally damaging crime that reinforces harmful stereotypes. This single act drags the community into disrepute, casting a long shadow over years of sacrifice and progress.

The root of the crisis: Not just crime, but culture

This pattern reflects a deeper cultural contradiction. The Indian-American identity often links success with status and material wealth. But when these markers become the primary measure of worth, ethical boundaries become blurred.

Many of the accused used their cultural ties to deflect suspicion and manipulate trust. They didn’t just steal—they weaponized their community’s confidence.

Reputational fallout: A black spot on the diaspora

These crimes don’t just victimize individuals—they tarnish the moral standing of an entire community. In an environment where immigrants are often stereotyped and scrutinized, every headline amplifies the perception of dishonesty.

Remaining silent in the face of such breaches is no longer an option.

What must be done: Community responsibility begins now

Change must begin at home. The Indian-American community needs to:

• Promote ethical mentorship in high-risk fields.
• Launch fraud-awareness initiatives for elders and immigrants.
• Establish norms of accountability within associations and networks.
• Publicly denounce unethical behavior—regardless of status.

This is a moment of reckoning

The Indian-American story is one of resilience and excellence. But integrity must remain at its heart. Fraud is not just illegal—it’s a betrayal of the values that built this community.

We must stop glorifying wealth over worth. We must reject silence in the face of corruption. And we must commit to holding ourselves to a higher moral standard.

This isn’t just a call to prosecutors. It’s a call to every Indian-American to defend the very soul of our community.