ITHACA, N.Y. — A joint investigation led by the Ithaca Police Department, in collaboration with Cornell Police, the Collier County Sheriff’s Department in Florida, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has resulted in the arrest of Ankit Kirtania, a 29-year-old Cornell University graduate student researcher. Kirtania is an international student from Kolkata, India.
Kirtania faces a charge of Grand Larceny in the 2nd Degree, a class C felony, following a scam that targeted numerous elderly and vulnerable individuals across the United States. The arrest was made on May 19th, 2023, at around 6:20 PM in the 300 block of Thurston Avenue.
Kirtania allegedly defrauded victims of over $100,000. Law enforcement officials suspect that the amount may rise as the investigation progresses and additional victims come forward.
Following his apprehension, Kirtania appeared before the Ithaca City Court, where he was arraigned and released on his own recognizance. It is unknown if Kirtania was asked to surrender his passport prior to release. Kirtania faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Anyone with information that may aid police in this investigation is asked to contact the Ithaca Police department by any of the following means:
Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245
Police Administration: 607-272-9973
Police Tipline: 607-330-0000
Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips