Bank fraud accused Angad Chandok deported from US, handed over to CBI

In a significant breakthrough for Indian investigative agencies, Angad Singh Chandok, a key accused in multiple high-profile bank fraud cases in India, has been deported from the United States and handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Chandok, 34, was living in California and convicted in 2022 by a US federal court for large-scale money-laundering operation tied to international tech-support and travel scams targeting elderly Americans.

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Money laundering in the US

The US Department of Justice, in a statement, detailed Chandok's role in an international fraud network. He was sentenced to six years in prison in March 2022.

Chandhok allegedly operated a long-running and complex money-laundering network, in which he created and used shell companies and Indian students on visas to move over 1.5 million dollars stolen from Americans through an online tech support scheme, and later an online travel fee scheme, the statement said.

“An Indian national who sought asylum in the United States and then played a critical role in ensuring that an international tech-support scheme succeeded in defrauding Americans, many of them elderly, of their life savings, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison," said US Attorney Zachary A Cunha.

The court further observed that Chandhok had a team of at least five individuals working under him and maintained direct communication with high-ranking international members of the criminal syndicate. He was also declared an international fugitive at the time of these offences.

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India cases reopened

Back in India, Chandhok was also wanted for bank fraud and criminal conspiracy. He was deported by the US authorities and landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport early Saturday (May 24) morning.

The CBI had declared him a fugitive, and with his deportation, authorities will now reopen investigations and initiate legal proceedings. Soon after his arrival CBI sleuths took him under custody.

He is expected to be produced before a special CBI court later in the day, where the agency is likely to seek his custodial remand for further interrogation.

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Diplomatic win

Chandok's return marks a major milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to pursue economic fugitives who escaped justice by fleeing overseas.

It also highlights the growing collaboration between Indian and international law enforcement agencies — especially with the United States — in addressing financial crimes that have cross-border ramifications.

His deportation is expected to strengthen India’s resolve in pursuing economic offenders and bringing them to justice, regardless of their location, the officials said.