A shocking case of corporate fraud has unfolded in Boston, where a senior employee at the multinational pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) and her boyfriend were convicted of defrauding the company out of $2.3 million. This elaborate scheme involved setting up a fake consulting company that billed Takeda for services that were never provided.

The Fraudulent Scheme

Samuel N. Montronde, aged 39, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after being convicted by a federal jury of three counts of wire fraud in December 2024. The jury acquitted him of one count of wire fraud conspiracy. Along with his girlfriend, Priya Bhambi, a senior-level employee in the technology operations group at Takeda, Montronde orchestrated an intricate fraud to deceive the company and steal millions.

The fraud scheme began in 2022, when the couple set up a fake consulting company called Evoluzione Consulting LLC. The company was entirely fictional, and Bhambi, using her insider position at Takeda, created a fabricated identity for the business, including a professional website filled with bogus blog posts and false information to make Evoluzione appear legitimate.

In February 2022, Bhambi and Montronde submitted a statement of work to Takeda, which led to the company signing a master services agreement with Evoluzione and issuing a purchase order worth $3.542 million for consulting services that would never be rendered. Between March and May of 2022, the pair submitted five invoices, each amounting to $460,000, to Takeda for services that never occurred.

To make the scheme even more convincing, Bhambi and Montronde invented a fictional employee named “Jasmine”, who supposedly handled communications with Takeda. When Takeda employees raised questions about the services provided by Evoluzione, Bhambi offered false explanations to cover up the fraud.

Takeda Falls Victim to the Scheme

Relying on the false representations made by Bhambi and Montronde, Takeda approved and paid all five invoices, totaling $2.3 million. The money was funneled into business accounts opened by Montronde in Evoluzione’s name. However, Takeda eventually caught on to the fraud when inconsistencies arose, and Bhambi’s employment was terminated.

In a similar vein, Bhambi had previously executed a smaller-scale fraud scheme, using a different sham consulting company to defraud Takeda of nearly $300,000 for services never rendered. This earlier fraud served as a blueprint for the larger, more elaborate scheme that ultimately led to her downfall.

The Consequences of the Fraud

For their roles in the fraudulent activities, both Bhambi and Montronde now face significant legal repercussions. In June 2024, Bhambi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Her sentence, handed down in October 2024, included 46 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a restitution payment of $2.585 million.

In addition to his prison sentence, Montronde was ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution. The couple’s ill-gotten gains were used to purchase luxury items and assets, including a Mercedes-Benz Class E, a diamond engagement ring, freightliner trucks, a $1.9 million condo in Boston’s Seaport District, and a $50,000 wedding venue deposit. These assets are now subject to a court forfeiture order as part of the restitution process.

A Cautionary Tale for Corporations

This case is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in corporate environments, especially when insider access is involved. Takeda, a major pharmaceutical company with operations worldwide, fell victim to this elaborate fraud because of trust placed in an employee and a seemingly legitimate external business.

For corporations, this case highlights the importance of thorough vetting of business partners and external consultants. Companies must establish strict controls to ensure that payments for services rendered are legitimate and backed by concrete evidence. Additionally, internal fraud prevention programs, regular audits, and employee training on the risks of fraud can help reduce the chances of falling victim to similar schemes.

The Long Road to Justice

In the end, the fraud was discovered, and both Bhambi and Montronde were held accountable. While they face significant prison sentences, the impact on Takeda’s financial and reputational standing could last much longer. In many ways, this case is an example of how fraudulent actions by a few individuals can have far-reaching consequences for large corporations — and the people who trust them.

For anyone considering similar fraudulent activities, the case of Bhambi and Montronde serves as a clear warning: corporate fraud may seem like a quick way to profit, but the legal consequences are severe, and the damage caused is significant.

IF YOU NEED A LAWYER CONTACT US