U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced the sentencing of Mohamed Khaled Sakr, a 31-year-old resident of Montreal, Quebec. Sakr, convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, has been sentenced to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. He is also required to pay $262,500 in restitution to 18 elderly victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, explained that between May 8 and May 13, 2023, Sakr conspired with others to defraud elderly individuals by posing as relatives or loved ones. These conspirators falsely claimed to have been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) following a supposed car accident. Victims were informed that their loved ones would only be released from custody if cash bail was posted on their behalf.
The conspiracy utilized so-called “money mules” or “bail bondsmen” to collect the money from the victims. Once the cash was collected, it was transported to other unknown conspirators in the New York City area. Mohamed Khaled Sakr was identified as one of the money mules who helped collect approximately $262,500 from the victims and attempted to collect an additional $9,500.
This sentencing results from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff David Linder, the New York State Police, under Major Kevin Sucher, and the Monroe Crime Analysis Center.