Two biotech CEOs convicted in fraud scheme involving COVID-19 drug

BALTIMORE, MD—Two CEOs were convicted by a federal jury in Maryland for a scheme to defraud investors about a drug being developed to treat HIV and COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Nader Pourhassan, 61, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Kazem Kazempour, 71, of Potomac, Maryland, were found guilty of the scheme involving CytoDyn Inc., a publicly traded […]

Maryland brothers indicted for an alleged lottery scheme that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Maryland brothers have been indicted for an alleged lottery sweepstakes scheme that defrauded victims of more than $3.5 million. A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging brothers Dwayne and Wayne Henry, age 32 and 34, respectively, both of Landover Hills, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in connection with a lottery scheme where victims believe […]

Five Marylanders facing federal charges for fraud scheme involving theft of checks from mail

GREENBELT, MD—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging five Maryland residents with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud and related charges in connection with a fraud scheme involving more than 600 stolen checks with a face value of over $5 million. The indictment was returned on December 7, 2023, and unsealed late on January 19, 2024. […]

Baltimore man sentenced to prison in connection with counterfeit card encoding scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a counterfeit card encoding scheme. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has sentenced Leroy Holmes, 62, of Baltimore, to 57 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank fraud in connection with a scheme to re-encode credit cards, debit cards and […]

Foreign national sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

GREENBELT, MD—A foreign national has been sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced Daniel Velcu, 43, of Baltimore, to 34 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. As part of his sentence, Velcu will be required […]

Maryland fraudster sentenced to more than 9 years in prison for his role in $28 million ‘1st Million Dollars’ Ponzi scheme

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a massive Ponzi scheme. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced John Erasmus Frimpong, 42, of Upper Marlboro, to 114 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud, in […]

Former bank employee convicted after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

UPDATE: Daniel Velcru has been sentenced to prison. Original story below… GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been convicted on fraud charges after fraudulent opening bank accounts. A federal jury has convicted Diape Seck, 29, of Rockville, for his role in a bank fraud scheme in which he and his co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain almost $2 million by fraud, […]

Maryland man sentenced to more than six years in prison for his role in $28 million Ponzi scheme

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for his role in a $28 million Ponzi scheme involving “1st Million Dollars” wealth management company. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Arley Ray Johnson, 63, of Bowie, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, wire […]