By: IndoUS Tribune Staff

Plano, TX – A couple once celebrated for their dazzling performances and vibrant social presence in the North Texas South Asian community is now at the center of a sweeping fraud investigation involving over $4 million in alleged financial crimes.
Sidhartha “Sammy” Mukherjee and his wife Sunita Mukherjee, known for their Bollywood-style singing and regular appearances at cultural galas, charity events, and private parties, now face first-degree felony theft charges. Authorities allege that their polished public image masked a long-running financial scam that left dozens of investors financially devastated.

Behind the Applause: Allegations of Deception

According to court documents, the Mukherjees are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme that lured victims—many of whom were part of their extended social circles—into fake real estate ventures with promises of high returns. What appeared to be legitimate business proposals, including contracts and invoices tied to remodeling projects for housing authorities, were later exposed as forgeries.
“They convinced us they were connected, that they had insider access to city projects,” said Seshu Madabhushi, one of the alleged victims. “We never imagined we were walking into a trap.”
Another victim, Terry Parvaga, said he lost his life savings. “They made us believe they were prosperous entrepreneurs,” he said. “In reality, they drained every cent they could.”

A Lone Detective, Then the FBI

Initial complaints were reportedly dismissed as civil matters until Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department took on the case after a couple claimed to have lost over $300,000 in the scheme. “As we started digging, it became clear this was much larger than expected,” Brennan said.
Brennan uncovered that numerous documents presented by the Mukherjees—including contracts, receipts, and emails—were fabricated. The investigation soon revealed that the Dallas Housing Authority, allegedly referenced in several investment documents, had no association with the projects in question.
As the scale of the case widened, the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation. Forensic accounting revealed over $4 million in losses, with 20 confirmed victims and possibly over 100 more.

PPP Loans and Elderly Victims

Beyond real estate fraud, investigators allege the couple engaged in additional financial crimes. They are accused of using a shell company and fake employee records to secure federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The affidavit details a meeting between Sammy Mukherjee and federal agents in a Plano McDonald’s, where he was questioned about employees listed on a PPP application. When asked about names on payroll records—allegedly fictitious—Mukherjee claimed he did not recognize them.
Investigators also linked the couple to fraudulent checks deposited into their accounts, allegedly obtained by scamming elderly victims through threatening emails. These messages falsely warned recipients of imminent arrest unless they paid fines—payments that were redirected into the Mukherjees’ personal bank accounts.

Still in the Spotlight, Even Under Scrutiny

Despite the ongoing investigation, the couple continued to appear at high-profile events. In May, they headlined a cultural gala in Richardson hosted by a newly formed organization, the Indian Traditions & Cultural Society of North America. Tax records show the nonprofit is registered to the Mukherjees’ Plano residence—where both were arrested weeks later.
Guests at the event included a visiting Bollywood celebrityHema Malini and the mayor of Plano. Many attendees were reportedly unaware of the growing criminal investigation behind the couple’s public persona.

Felony Charges and ICE Custody

Sammy and Sunita Mukherjee now face first-degree felony theft charges, which in Texas carries a potential sentence of five to 99 years in prison. After posting $500,000 bond, Sammy Mukherjee was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and remains at a detention facility near Fort Worth. Authorities confirmed that the couple entered the U.S. seeking asylum, but their current immigration status remains unclear.
Further complicating their legal situation, documents submitted by victims include evidence of outstanding fraud warrants for Sammy Mukherjee in Mumbai, India.

Mukherjees Deny Allegations, Claim Conspiracy

When previously contacted, Sammy Mukherjee denied all wrongdoing and described the accusations as a coordinated effort to defame him. After an earlier media investigation aired in 2024, the Mukherjees, through their attorney, demanded a retraction and claimed the coverage was defamatory.
Ironically, the same report is now cited in the arrest affidavit, helping to build the prosecution’s case.
The couple’s criminal attorney has not responded to recent requests for comment.

Will Victims Recover Their Losses?

Unfortunately, the outlook for recovering lost funds is bleak. Investigators say the couple filed for bankruptcy last year. Authorities are probing whether any money was transferred offshore or into cryptocurrency accounts, but Brennan was blunt in his assessment:
“I think it’s gone. They lived off it—houses, cars, events, and a lavish lifestyle built on deception.”

What began as a glamorous rise to local celebrity in North Texas has ended in criminal charges and federal detention. As the case unfolds, the Indian-American community that once applauded the Mukherjees now watches with shock and betrayal, hoping justice will be served—and that no more victims remain undiscovered.