Unraveling the $4 Million Real Estate Scam by Indian-Origin Couple in Texas
An Indian-origin North Texas couple, once known for their glitzy appearances and Bollywood-style performances at community events, now finds itself at the center of a massive real estate scam. Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and his wife Sunita, who were prominent faces in the Indian-American community in Plano, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding more than 100 people of over $4 million (₹33 crore).
According to reports, the couple is currently being held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, facing first-degree felony theft charges. Investigators say the Mukherjees attracted investors by offering high returns on fake real estate projects. The victims were shown convincing paperwork—including bogus invoices and remodeling contracts—that appeared to come from the Dallas Housing Authority.
'The investors didn't realize the fraud until the dividend cheques started to bounce,' CBS News reported. The case first came to light in 2024 when a couple reported a loss of $325,000. Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan began an investigation that later drew in the FBI. Brennan described Sammy Mukherjee as the most persistent con artist he's encountered in his career. 'I've never seen a fraudster in 23 years as prolific as Sammy Mukherjee,' he told CBS, noting that the fake Dallas Housing Authority invoices proved the projects never existed.
Victims say the couple used their public image to build trust before cheating them. 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople. But they will take every single penny you have,' said Terry Parvaga, one of the victims who spoke to CBS. So far, only 20 victims have formally come forward, but authorities believe the total number could surpass 100.
The Mukherjees are also facing allegations beyond real estate fraud. Authorities claim the couple emailed elderly victims with threats of arrest unless they made immediate payments. In addition, they are accused of falsifying documents to obtain federal COVID relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), reportedly listing fake employees and payroll details. During questioning by the FBI at a McDonald's in Plano, Sammy Mukherjee 'denied knowing the names on the payroll tied to the PPP loan,' according to investigators.
Despite mounting complaints, the couple remained socially active until 2024, when they filed for bankruptcy. Authorities are now looking into whether the scammed money was diverted into cryptocurrency or offshore accounts.
