⏱ 2 min read
A Phoenix family has admitted to running a $2.2 million Covid-19 fraud scheme, swindling the government out of relief loans meant for struggling businesses. Mohammed Maio, 43, and his parents, Souzan El-Sayed, 66, and Abukar Maio, 70, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, as well as money laundering, between May 2020 and March 2024. The family submitted false information to secure loans for multiple businesses with no employees, using the funds for personal gain, including buying properties.
Mohammed Maio, a convicted felon, also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and arranging for his mother to purchase a gun on his behalf in May 2021. He caused his mother to falsely state on the application that the firearm was for her use, not his, and later illegally possessed the gun.
The family’s sentencing is scheduled for September and October 2026, before United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi. They face maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for the conspiracy charges, as well as 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines for money laundering.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of Covid-19 relief fraud, with billions of dollars lost to scams and schemes during the pandemic. The guilty pleas are a result of the government’s efforts to crack down on fraud and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Arizona
- Location: AZ
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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