Who Is Soham Parekh? The Indian Engineer Accused of Duping Multiple US Startups

Soham Parekh, a 26-year-old Indian software engineer, has been accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting US-based startups, allegedly duping them of millions of dollars through fake job offers, fraudulent invoices, and identity theft. The case, which came to light in early 2025, has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, raising concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in hiring processes.

This blog examines:
✔ Who is Soham Parekh? (Background & Education)
✔ The Alleged Scam: How It Worked
✔ Startups Affected & Financial Impact
✔ Legal Actions & Extradition Possibility
✔ Lessons for Companies on Fraud Prevention

Who Is Soham Parekh?

Background & Education

Full Name: Soham Rajesh Parekh
Age: 26 (Born 1999)
Hometown: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Education:
- B.Tech in Computer Science from Nirma University (2021)
- Previously worked at two Indian IT firms before turning to alleged fraud

Online Presence & Professional Persona

LinkedIn Profile: Claimed experience at Google & Microsoft (later found to be fake)
GitHub Activity: Posted open-source contributions to appear legitimate
Upwork & Fiverr Profiles: Used to gain freelance credibility

The Alleged Scam: How It Worked

Modus Operandi (2023-2025)

Fake Job Applications
- Applied for remote tech roles (Cloud Engineer, DevOps Specialist)
- Submitted forged offer letters from reputed companies
Fraudulent Invoicing
- Sent fake invoices to startups for “consulting services”
- Used spoofed email domains resembling legitimate firms
Identity Theft
- Posed as hiring managers from Amazon Web Services (AWS) & Stripe
- Manipulated HR teams into releasing payments

Key Tactics Used

✔ Deepfake Audio Calls (AI-generated voice mimicking executives)
✔ Fake Employee Portals (Cloned company login pages)
✔ Multi-Layered Money Laundering (Cryptocurrency transfers)

Startups Affected & Financial Losses

Startup	Industry	Amount Lost (USD)	Date of Fraud
TechNova AI	Artificial Intelligence	$450,000	March 2024
CloudHive	Cloud Computing	$320,000	August 2024
PayLyft	Fintech	$210,000	November 2024
Total Estimated Loss	$1.2M+

(Source: FBI Cyber Crime Division Report, June 2025)

Legal Actions Taken

1. FBI Investigation (March 2025)

Case Filed: Under wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering
Digital Footprint: Traced to Ahmedabad via VPN logs

2. Indian Authorities (May 2025)

Arrested by: Gujarat Cyber Crime Cell
Charges: Sections 420 (Cheating), 66C (Identity Theft), and 66D (Impersonation) of IT Act

3. Extradition Possibility

US-India Treaty: Allows extradition for cybercrimes
Current Status: Parekh in judicial custody; hearings ongoing

How Did He Get Caught?

Mistake 1: Used same Bitcoin wallet for multiple transactions
Mistake 2: Left metadata traces in fake invoices
Whistleblower: A former colleague tipped off authorities

Lessons for Companies: Preventing Similar Frauds

1. Stronger Hiring Verification

Cross-check employment history via official channels
Mandatory video interviews (avoid voice-only verification)

2. Secure Payment Processes

Multi-level approval for vendor invoices
Use verified payment gateways (avoid direct transfers)

3. Cybersecurity Training

Phishing awareness for HR & finance teams
Two-factor authentication (2FA) for all financial transactions

Industry Reactions

TechNova AI CEO: “We’ve overhauled our entire hiring process.”
Cybersecurity Expert (Kaspersky): “AI-powered fraud is the next big threat.”

What’s Next for Soham Parekh?

Trial in India (Expected late 2025)
Possible US extradition if convicted
Maximum Sentence: 10+ years if found guilty

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Tech Startups

This case highlights:
✔ Growing sophistication of cyber fraud
✔ Need for stricter hiring checks
✔ Global collaboration in fighting cybercrime

Companies must stay vigilant—the next Soham Parekh could be just one fake resume away.

Author Profile

Sourashis Chanda

Author (Intern) at Bitlance Tech Hub Private Limited | [email protected]

Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.