Investigator says the ‘most prolific’ fraudsters he’s ever seen are a pair of Texas singers

48 3 minutes read

The behind-the-scenes reality wasn’t nearly as glamorous as the show they put on.

Sidhartha “Sammy” Mukherjee and his wife Sunita built their reputation as Bollywood-style performers. Beloved in the community, the couple were more than just entertainers — they were stars.

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But now, investigators say they played a much darker role, one rooted not in music but in manipulation. Authorities believe more than 100 investors may have handed over money to Mukherjee for real estate deals that never existed. When dividend cheques started to bounce, suspicions grew.

“They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople,” Terry Parvaga, an alleged fraud victim, told CBS News. “But they will take every single penny you have.”

At first, police dismissed the complaints as civil disputes. Then a couple came forward, claiming they lost $325,000 in an investment scheme. That’s when Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department took a closer look.

“As I got into the case and dug into it, we realized that this was a lot larger than what initially was reported,” Brennan said.

Here’s how it all unraveled.

Paper trails and red flags

At first glance, the pitch looked legit: remodeling contracts and invoices bearing the Dallas Housing Authority’s name. But when Brennan called the agency to verify the deal, the illusion crumbled; there was no such project.

“All fake,” Brennan said. “The level of counterfeit documents … it had to be a full-time job for him to do that.”

A new report from IPX1031 found that nearly 30% of Americans have been scammed in 2024, and this case fits right into that growing trend. As the scheme ballooned, Brennan called in the FBI. Forensic accountants traced the cash, uncovering more than $4 million in confirmed losses. So far, 20 victims are on record, but investigators say the real number could top 100.

Read more: Americans are ‘revenge saving’ to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Here’s how to quickly earn 280% more on your cash

A web of scams, not just showbiz

It wasn’t just real estate deals raising eyebrows. According to the arrest affidavit, the couple also used a fake company — complete with fake employees — to apply for a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. When questioned by the FBI over lunch at a McDonald’s, Mukherjee claimed he didn’t recognize the names on the payroll form tied to his application — a slip-up that sent up serious red flags.

And the paper trail didn’t stop there. Authorities say the couple’s bank accounts were also padded with funds from elderly victims who were targeted with threatening emails that falsely claimed they would go to jail unless they made payments. The FBI warns this isn’t uncommon: in 2024, older Americans lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud schemes — a 43% jump from the year before.

“In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I’ve seen,” Brennan told the CBS News Texas I-Team. “Tentacles going in all different directions.”

Even as investigators closed in, the Mukherjees stayed in the spotlight, headlining a cultural gala under a nonprofit. One problem — tax records show the nonprofit was registered at their own home, the same place where police eventually made the arrest.

The final curtain falls

The spotlight has dimmed on the Mukherjees, and this time, there’s no encore. The couple is now facing a first-degree felony theft charge that could put them behind bars for five to 99 years. After posting a $500,000 bond each, ICE agents showed up at their Plano home and took Sammy into custody.

While the criminal case moves forward, alleged victims remain stuck in financial limbo. The Mukherjees filed for bankruptcy last year, and investigators are still following paper trails to see if any of the missing millions ended up in offshore accounts or crypto wallets.

If an investment opportunity feels too good to be true — even when it comes from someone charismatic or well-connected — that’s your sign to hit pause. Always verify documents, check for independent records and talk to a licensed financial advisor before sending money.

If you’ve already fallen victim to a scam, getting your money back can be tough, and you can’t undo any personal information that’s been exposed. But you can take steps to limit the damage. Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau and any company involved, such as your bank or email provider. If you clicked on a suspicious link, run a virus scan. Change any passwords the scammer may have accessed and consider using passkeys for added protection. If you share personal or financial details, consider adding a free fraud alert or credit freeze to your credit report to help prevent further identity theft.