PLANO, Texas — A Collin County man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for defrauding investors out of more than $4 million in oil and gas ventures, authorities announced Thursday.

Sameer Praveen Sethi, 42, of Murphy, Texas, was found guilty in December 2024 on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan handed down a 151-month prison sentence.

According to court records, Sethi orchestrated a multi-year scheme targeting investors in oil and gas joint ventures. Prosecutors said he would set up the ventures, prepare investment documents with his team, and have his sales staff pitch them to potential investors.

Instead of using the funds as promised, evidence showed Sethi spent nearly all the money on

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