An Indian national was sentenced on April 21 to 41 months in prison for leading a conspiracy that defrauded telephone providers and insurance companies of millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
The case highlights the impact of large-scale identity fraud schemes targeting telecommunications and insurance sectors. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, such crimes can result in significant financial losses and require coordinated law enforcement efforts across agencies.
Dhananjay Singh, age 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit interstate transfer of stolen property. Court documents state that from June 2013 through June 2019, Singh and co-conspirators used stolen or fake identities to submit false claims for lost or damaged cellular devices using the mail system. The replacement devices were shipped to various locations in the United States, including New Jersey, then resold outside the country.
Judge Arleo also ordered Singh to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term and pay more than $10 million in restitution. Frazer credited special agents from several federal agencies with investigating the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes and represents the United States in civil matters across the state according to its official website. The office is part of the Department of Justice according to its official website and staffs about 170 attorneys and support personnel statewide according to its official website. It has offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden according to its official website, supporting operations since its establishment in 1789 according to its official website. The office advances community safety through law enforcement coordination and crime prevention programs according to its official website, with alumni who include federal judges and senators according to its official website.
Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro represented the government in this matter.
