New York Man Pleads Guilty in Louisiana Court to Computer Fraud Scheme that Targeted the Elderly

Louisiana – United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced today that Mohammad Alam, age 50, of New York, pled guilty to a Bill of Information charging him with misprision of a felony before U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles.

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Alam became involved in a computer technical support fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across the United States, including the Middle District of Louisiana, in December of 2016. International participants were involved in the scheme, which targeted over 30 victims and netted approximately $340,000 in fraudulent proceeds.

Members of the scheme duped victims into believing their computers required technical assistance, then offered to fix them for a fee. Following payment, a member of the scheme would contact the victims and request access to their bank accounts, claiming that the victims were entitled to a discount. Using that information, a member of the scheme would manipulate the victims’ account balances so that they believed they owed money to the computer company. The victims would then send money to Alam and others’ accounts.

Between December 2016 and March 2018, Alam received funds from the victims through multiple bank accounts. He ran these accounts under the supervision of an overseas associate, who told him how to distribute the funds, which he then transferred to foreign and domestic accounts as instructed.

Individuals such as Alam help fraudsters by receiving money from victims of fraud and transferring it to fraud organizers, many of whom are located abroad. Some of these so-called money mules are aware that they are assisting fraudsters, while others are completely unaware of the illegal scheme. Many foreign fraudsters find it difficult to profit from victims in the United States without the assistance of money mules. Please visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/money-mule-initiative for public education materials as well as information about how fraudsters use and recruit money mules.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica M.P. Thornhill, who also serves as the Middle District of Louisiana’s Elder Justice Coordinator.

The Elder Justice Initiative of the Department of Justice aims to combat elder financial exploitation by increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors; educating older adults on how to identify scams and avoid becoming victims of financial fraud; and promoting greater coordination with law enforcement partners. Please visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice for more information. If you or someone you know is over the age of 60 and has been a victim of financial fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).