Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Multi-State Fraud
Prakashkumar Prajapati was sentenced for conspiring to commit wire fraud that targeted victims in five states, including Maine.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Financial Crime
Prakashkumar Prajapati, 47, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $1,897,386 in restitution to the victims of the multi-state scheme.
Why it matters
The case shows how callers posing as government officials can persuade victims to hand over cash and gold, with the scheme reaching at least eight victims in Maine and four other states. The sentence and restitution order reflect the financial harm to those targeted across the region.
Prajapati has been sentenced to nine years and ordered to pay $1,897,386 in restitution. Co-conspirator Bharat Awasarmol pleaded guilty in December 2025 and faces up to 20 years on the wire fraud conspiracy charge and up to five years on the false statement charge.
The players
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI is the principal federal agency that investigates federal crimes, and its agents intercepted a package in this case.
The details
Callers posing as government officials instructed victims to withdraw cash from their accounts and buy gold, telling them a government agent would meet them to collect it. FBI agents intercepted Awasarmol accepting a package from a victim in Maine.
Timeline
December 2025: Bharat Awasarmol pleaded guilty to charges.
Week before November 9, 2026: Prajapati pleaded guilty and appeared in a Maine courtroom.
Legal Context
This case follows the government impersonation pattern in which fraudsters pose as officials to pressure victims into surrendering cash and precious metals. The multi-state conspiracy and the federal wire fraud charges illustrate how such schemes are prosecuted across jurisdictions.
Residents who receive unexpected calls from people claiming to be government officials should not withdraw cash or buy gold at a caller's direction. The case highlights that victims in Maine were among those targeted by this type of scheme.
The takeaway
Anyone contacted by a caller claiming to be a government official demanding cash or gold should hang up and verify the request independently before sending money. Legitimate agencies do not collect payments this way.
Further reading
For more on related cases, see Financial Crime coverage in Maine.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Q106.
