An Indian national who defrauded Travis Kelce and other investors in a $35 million Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. The ruling underscores a rapid downfall for a man who lived lavishly while posing as a legitimate financier.
Illegal Immigrant Sentenced for $35M Ponzi Scheme
The U.S. District Court ordered Siddharth Jawahar, 38, to serve 11 years and to pay $31.35 million in restitution, according to the Justice Department. Kelce was listed among the victims, a fact confirmed by local outlet KMOV.
DHS officials said Jawahar entered the United States multiple times between August 2005 and January 2010 and became an illegal immigrant after overstaying his visa. He had no legal right to remain after the initial visa expired.
Before his financial crimes, Jawahar was convicted of driving while intoxicated in Texas, DHS reported. The Texas Department of Public Safety recorded the conviction.
Jawahar founded Texas‑based Swiftarc Capital LLC and funneled client money into Philip Morris Pakistan (PMP) in 2015, the Justice Department said. PMP eventually held 99 % of the funds, but when its value collapsed Jawahar concealed the loss and falsely claimed profits to investors.
He raised more than $35 million from investors between July 2016 and December 2023, yet only about $10 million was actually invested, the Justice Department reported. The remainder funded private jets, luxury apartments in Austin and New York, high‑end club memberships, shopping sprees and expensive dining.
After his indictment, Jawahar tried to coach a victim into giving a favorable FBI statement, lied about his immigration status and finances, and urged his sister to delete evidence from his phone, prosecutors said.
Jawahar pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in January, admitting the scheme. The plea was entered in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
A DHS spokesperson condemned the case, quoting, “This criminal mastermind’s endgame was to steal their money so he could be popping champagne in the lap of luxury, but karma has finally tackled him.” The agency added that illegal aliens exploiting Americans will be swiftly deported after serving their sentences.
