CHARLOTTE, NC – Two Charlotte entrepreneurs are facing serious federal charges after allegedly building a lucrative business on the backs of thieves, peddling stolen iPhones and other electronics to buyers across the country and around the globe. Hamzeh Jamal Alasfar, 30, and Tayseer Issam Alkhayyat, 34, both of Charlotte, are accused of knowingly accepting and reselling goods obtained through fraud and theft, operating a sophisticated network that funneled millions of dollars through their companies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced the indictment today, stemming from a joint investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). Authorities allege that Alasfar and Alkhayyat operated Cellport International Inc. (Cellport) and D Town Wireless (D Town), with Cellport also maintaining a location in Florida. The pair are accused of purchasing thousands of stolen iPhones and other devices as early as 2013, continuing through January 2020.
According to the indictment, Alasfar and Alkhayyat weren’t simply receiving stolen goods; they actively cultivated a network of “boosters” – individuals who steal products – and “vendors” – those who collect stolen merchandise in bulk. Their businesses, the indictment claims, were well-known within the criminal underworld as a reliable outlet for stolen iPhones, often sold “new in-the-box.” This wasn’t a case of accidental receipt of stolen property; it was a deliberate, calculated scheme to profit from criminal activity.
Between January 2019 and January 2020 alone, Cellport allegedly shipped over 20,000 new iPhones, many of which were known to be stolen or fraudulently obtained. The scale of the operation is staggering, and the financial implications are immense. During that same period, the company’s bank account, controlled by Alasfar and Alkhayyat, allegedly received more than $15 million in wire transfers – a significant portion originating from iPhone buyers and freight-forwarding services, including a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
Alasfar and Alkhayyat are now facing a conspiracy charge – conspiracy to transport stolen and fraudulently obtained goods in interstate commerce, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. They also face two counts of interstate and foreign transportation of stolen property, each carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine. The indictment emphasizes that these are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The successful investigation highlights the growing partnership between CMPD and the Secret Service, a collaborative effort designed to dismantle organized criminal groups operating in Charlotte. According to officials, this integrated approach leverages local and federal resources to target the most damaging criminal organizations impacting the community. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Michael E. Savage are prosecuting the case. Initial appearances for Alasfar and Alkhayyat will be scheduled in federal court in Charlotte.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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