(Image source from: India Today)

An Indian American woman from New York convicted last month on charges of larceny and scheme to defraud has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing about $600,000 in payments from prospective buyers and using that money on gambling, holidaying, and other personal expenses.  

The 53-year-old Reshmi Maharaj, a resident of Queens city, accepted around $55,500 from a prospective buyer who wanted to purchase a home in the city. Maharaj accepted about $164,500 from a second prospective buyer for a home she presented as a “short sale” in the city.

From a third prospective buyer, Maharaj accepted about $199,000 who was interested in buying a property in the vicinity.

According to trial testimony, the dupes were not allowed to move into the homes they purchased from Maharaj despite paying large sums of money.

Maharaj spent about $594,700 from that she received from prospective buyers to travel for a local casino, Trinidad, Tobago, and also for other personal expenses.

According to Queens Acting District Attorney John Ryan, Maharaj was duping victims in the name of offering home or property.

"Instead, the defendant selfishly pocketed their hard-earned money and spent the ill-gotten funds on personal items," Ryan said.

“The sentence given to Maharaj brings much-needed justice to these buyers who were robbed of their chance to fulfill their American Dream. The defendant will now spend a significant amount of time in prison for operating this cold-hearted scam," he added.

By Sowmya Sangam