Michigan Man Receives Ten-Year Sentence for Leading Global Computer Fraud and Online Scams

Schemes were carried out by co-conspirators in India, Europe, and the United States.

A man from Michigan has been sentenced for defrauding internet users with scam virus alerts and distributing controlled substances online.

Doyal Kalita, 37, from Redford, Mich., was sentenced to 10 years in prison with three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $272,293 in restitution and forfeit $2,542,784. Kalita pleaded guilty in February 2024 to wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to import controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy.

Kalita and his partners set up a scheme in 2015 to deceive internet users with fake pop-up screens, directing them to call for technical support and then selling them unnecessary products and services. They also ran an online drug distribution scheme, shipping prescription drugs from India and Europe to the United States.

Some of Kalita's co-conspirators remain fugitives. Manish Kumar and Robert Polanco, who were involved in the schemes, have been sentenced to prison as well. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil.

The charges against the remaining defendants are allegations until proven guilty in court.