How more than 100 individuals were tricked by the Mukherjees ?
In relation to a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud case, a well-known Indian-origin couple in North Texas who are renowned for their glitzy public appearances and Bollywood-style performances have been arrested.
Authorities claim that through fraudulent investment ventures, Sidhartha "Sammy" Mukherjee and his wife Sunita cheated more than 100 victims out of at least $4 million (₹33 crore).
According to the Daily Mail, the Mukherjees, who were formerly well-known members of the Indian-American community in Plano, Texas, are now being held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center after being charged with first-degree felony larceny.
Investigators claim that the couple used the promise of large returns to entice victims into fictitious real estate transactions. Documents that appeared authentic, such as fictitious remodeling contracts and invoices purportedly from the Dallas Housing Authority, were provided to investors.
When a couple sought authorities help in 2024 claiming to have lost $325,000, the bogus scam was exposed. Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department began an inquiry, which was eventually broadened with the FBI's assistance.
Numerous victims have come forward to describe the couple's glitzy and convincing façade. Although there have only been 20 victims officially reported thus far, investigators think there may be more than 100.
The pair is also accused of sending threatening emails to elderly people, claiming that they would be arrested unless they paid right away.