Mahmoud Odetallah, Fake Driver’s License Scheme, New Jersey 2015

Related Federal Cases

Former Truck Driver Vickers Guilty of Sex Trafficking Minors · Pennsylvania
Alin Carabus Pleads Guilty in $5M ATM Skimming Scheme · New York
Shawn Hilliard Gets 12 Years for $1.3M Bank Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
Irfan Amanat Charged in $2M KITD, Maiden Capital Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
Nimesh Patel, Dilip Vadlamudi Charged in $274K Kickback Scheme · New Jersey

Table of Contents

New Jersey Man’s Fake Driver’s License Scheme Exposed

A Bronx, New York, man has been charged with selling fake New Jersey driver’s licenses, as reported by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Mahmoud Odetallah, 26, also known as ‘Mike,’ allegedly posted online advertisements on Craigslist offering authentic commercial driver’s licenses without proper testing and identification requirements. The scheme ran from August 2015 to February 2016.

According to the complaint, Odetallah solicited and accepted $1,000 in cash from an individual cooperating with the FBI for the purchase of a New Jersey commercial driver’s license (CDL). On October 11, 2015, Odetallah posted an advertisement claiming to sell CDLs without the required testing and identification requirements, and also represented that he was a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) employee or affiliated with an MVC employee.

On November 17, 2005, the individual, identified as the ‘CW,’ acting under the supervision of the FBI, responded to the advertisement by calling Odetallah. During the call, Odetallah instructed the CW to supply a copy of their identification, along with two passport-sized photographs and any mailed documents within the last 90 days as proof of address.

On January 13, 2016, Odetallah met with the CW at a coffee shop near the North Bergen MVC office. Odetallah obtained a $1,000 cash payment from the CW for the purchase of a CDL, along with copies of the CW’s purported passport. However, Odetallah never returned with the CDL, and instead harassed the CW for an additional $1,000 payment.

Odetallah faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The case was investigated by the FBI, and the government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and Odetallah is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. Anyone with information concerning this alleged scheme should contact the FBI at 973-792-3000.