Scammer Who Defrauded Travis Kelce Tried To Marry American Woman To Avoid Deportation After 11-Year Sentence

Siddharth Jawahar, the investment adviser who was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after admitting to a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that counted Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce among its victims, recently sought permission to marry an American woman while in custody. Federal prosecutors opposed the proposed marriage, arguing that it may have been an attempt to obtain immigration status in the United States and avoid removal after his prison sentence.

Jawahar, 38, pleaded guilty in January to three counts of wire fraud after prosecutors said his Texas-based company, Swiftarc Capital, took in more than $35 million (around £26.44 million) from investors between 2016 and 2023. US District Judge Zachary Bluestone sentenced him on 15 September and ordered him to pay $31.35 million (£23.70 million) in restitution.

Kelce was identified in court as one of the investors affected, although authorities have not disclosed how much the NFL player lost.

Marriage Request Raises Immigration Questions

Jawahar sought permission to marry Caroline Tredway while he was in custody awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors objected to the request in a September court filing, pointing to a recorded conversation in which the couple discussed what could happen if Jawahar were removed from the United States.

The government argued that the proposed marriage might be intended, at least in part, to help him obtain immigration status.

According to court records reported by NBC News, Tredway asked Jawahar what would happen if he were deported. He responded that such an outcome might occur if she did not marry him and indicated that marriage could substantially reduce the likelihood of his removal. Prosecutors used the conversation as part of their argument against allowing the ceremony to proceed.

Fiancée Defends Their Relationship

Tredway has maintained that her relationship with Jawahar was genuine. In a letter submitted to the court, she said the pair had known each other since 2021 and became romantically involved in early 2023. She argued that formalising their relationship before he entered federal custody was important to their future together.

Jawahar's lawyer, Doug Passon, disputed the government's suggestion that the proposed marriage was intended to obtain immigration status. Attorney Passon said Jawahar wanted to remain in the United States and build a life with Tredway through lawful means, while acknowledging that, 'given this case and his current immigration status, his ability to remain here is highly unlikely.' Tredway did not respond to NBC News' request for comment about whether the pair still intended to marry.

'The truth is, Mr. Jawahar very much hopes to stay here after his sentence and build a life with Caroline, and he plans to pursue any legal avenues to do so,' attorney Passon said.

Lavish Spending Behind $35 Million Scheme

The marriage dispute emerged as prosecutors detailed the financial misconduct that led to Jawahar's prison sentence. The Justice Department said he collected more than $35 million (£26.44 million) from investors but put only about $10 million (£7.55 million) into investments. Much of the remaining money was used to repay earlier investors and support an expensive lifestyle that included private air travel, luxury accommodation, high-end apartments, private clubs and costly shopping and dining.

The scheme centred heavily on Philip Morris Pakistan, where Jawahar eventually concentrated about 99% of client funds. When the investment lost value, prosecutors said he concealed the losses and continued giving investors misleading information about the performance of their money. He also falsely represented that certain funds had been placed in particular companies when those investments were never made.