Introduction

Merle, a widow residing in Charlotte County, Florida, became the victim of a highly sophisticated international scam, resulting in the loss of $1.3 million. The scheme was masterminded by Anchal Mittal and Vikramjeet Singh, with the assistance of underlings David (real name Shadan) and Ethan Norman Smith (real name Ajay Bissa). Following this significant financial loss, Merle faced immense hardship, living on basic food supplies, and suffering significant psychological trauma. Desperate for help, she approached multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service’s regional office in Ft. Myers, Florida, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Despite these efforts and consultations with 42 law firms, Merle was repeatedly told that her money was likely lost forever. However, Sgt. Christopher Farley of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, impressed by Rondesse, Inc.’s reputation, referred Merle to the company, which specializes in scam protection, investigations, and remediation using advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and legal representation on a global scale.

Chronology of Events

Merle’s ordeal began with a spoof email that appeared to be from PayPal, claiming that a $499 bitcoin payment had been made from her account. Alarmed, Merle called the number provided in the email, which connected her to David Williams (alias for Shadan), who informed her that her account was being hacked. David then instructed Merle to contact her bank, but the call was intercepted by Ethan Norman Smith (alias for Ajay Bissa), who posed as a fraud investigator from Bank of America. Over the next few days, these scammers manipulated Merle into downloading the AnyDesk app, giving them control over her computer and phone. Isolating Merle from her family and friends, they systematically drained her savings account at Bank of America.

As the severity of the scam became evident, Merle sought help from local law enforcement, including the Secret Service in Ft. Myers, Florida, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Through subpoenas issued to Paxful, the platform used to transfer funds, the authorities identified Anchal Mittal and Vikramjeet Singh as the ringleaders of the scam. Despite these findings, the investigation stalled due to jurisdictional limitations, and Merle was left with no hope until Sgt. Farley referred her to Rondesse, Inc.

Once Rondesse took on Merle’s case, their director of operations, Tom Philips, quickly recognized the emotional and financial toll the scam had taken on her. Leveraging their international presence, particularly in India, Rondesse collaborated with local law firms and private investigators to track down the scammers. Vikramjeet Singh was the first to be apprehended on October 20, 2023, in Yamuna Nagar, a known hub for scam activities in India. The arrest occurred after Singh went underground to evade detection but was eventually captured about a month later. Anchal Mittal was the next one to be arrested on March 22, 2024, roughly 150 days after the First Information Report (FIR) was filed, with the entire process leading to over 25 arrests and the freezing of 12 accounts, amounting to approximately $800,000 in assets.

Legal Proceedings and Recovery Efforts

In the legal proceedings that followed, the criminals were convicted in Indian court. However, the focus shifted to recovering the stolen funds, which required the involvement of India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED, which operates as the Indian counterpart to the U.S. Department of Justice, escalated the case due to its national importance. This escalation was seen as part of India’s broader efforts to combat scams and restore its international reputation. Rondesse’s legal team ensured that all procedures were followed correctly, preventing the criminals from using influence or bribery to escape justice.

Despite these challenges, Rondesse’s efforts have led to significant progress in asset recovery. The company has frozen approximately $800,000 in assets related to the criminal network. While not all these assets pertain directly to Merle’s case, she retains the first claim due to her case being the catalyst for the investigation. Rondesse expects that within 3 to 4 months, a portion, if not all, of the stolen funds will be recovered and returned to Merle.

Comparison of Progress

Rondesse’s approach and success in this case stand in stark contrast to the standard recovery processes in India and the United States. In India, the average time for apprehending scammers ranges from 18 months to several years, with only a small percentage of scammers ever being brought to justice. In the United States, similar cases often take nearly 20 months to resolve, if at all. However, Rondesse managed to apprehend the primary suspects within 45 to 60 days and freeze significant assets within a much shorter time frame. This rapid progress, achieved through strategic international cooperation and the use of advanced investigative techniques, underscores Rondesse’s effectiveness and highlights the company’s ability to operate successfully in complex, cross-border scam recovery cases.

Conclusion

Merle’s case illustrates Rondesse, Inc.’s dedication to providing comprehensive scam protection, investigation, and remediation services. Through their efforts, a significant international scam network was dismantled, and the groundwork for recovering Merle’s $1.3 million was laid. Rondesse’s success in this case not only brought justice to Merle but also set a new standard for scam recovery efforts globally, showcasing the power of advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and legal expertise in combating international cybercrime.