A former Dublin resident has been indicted in connection with a $10 million fraud scheme involving false representations about investments in Pakistani real estate.
Haider Zafar, 35, formerly of Dublin, Ohio, was indicted in Columbus on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, filing a false federal income tax return, and willfully failing to file a federal income tax return with the IRS.
The indictment alleges that Zafar made representations that his mother’s brother was a high-ranking official in the Pakistani government and that he and members of his family in Pakistan had knowledge of real estate that the government of Pakistan planned to acquire from private citizen-owners.
Zafar allegedly instructed an individual to wire transfer money to an Ohio bank account in his name for the purchase of real estate. He allegedly told the individual that he would receive the return of his money and a profit by wire transfer.
Between January 4, 2008, and February 25, 2010, Zafar allegedly caused this individual and two businesses owned by this individual and/or relatives and associates of this individual to wire transfer $10,115,000 to Zafar.
Instead of buying real estate in Pakistan, Zafar allegedly used the funds from the fraud scheme to buy multiple luxury automobiles, including a 2009 Mercedes-Benz roadster, three 2009 Mercedes-Benz sedans, a 2009 Aston-Martin DB9 convertible, a 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo, a 2009 Aston-Martin Vantage roadster, a 2010 Lamborghini LP560 Spyder, a 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom convertible, two Rolex watches, a Cartier watch, a Bulgari watch band, and several pieces of jewelry, including a loose diamond and two rings, among other items.
IRS Special Agents arrested Zafar at Port Columbus Airport on May 25. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Zafar faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for wire fraud, up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for money laundering, up to three years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for filing a false income tax return with the IRS, and up to one year in prison and a fine of $25,000 for willfully failing to file an income tax return with the IRS.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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