CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte businessman is facing federal charges for allegedly building a lucrative enterprise on stolen goods, funneling hundreds of fraudulently obtained iPhones and other electronics to buyers in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. Rami Mahmod Mhana, 45, owner of Wireless City Fashions, Inc. and Protocol Business Group Inc., stands accused of knowingly dealing in stolen property for over two years.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced a four-count indictment against Mhana, charging him with transportation of stolen goods. According to the indictment, between May 2017 and October 2019, Mhana’s businesses – located at 441 Bradford Drive – served as a clearinghouse for “boosters,” street-level thieves who pilfered electronics for quick cash. Mhana allegedly provided a price list to employees, incentivizing the purchase of newer, unlocked devices, and paid no questions asked for the stolen merchandise.
Investigators allege Wireless City and Protocol were notorious among Charlotte’s criminal element as a reliable fence. Mhana, the indictment claims, wasn’t just unaware of the source of the goods; he actively cultivated a network of thieves, knowing full well the iPhones and other devices were hot. The scale of the operation is significant, with authorities estimating Mhana moved thousands of dollars worth of stolen electronics overseas.
The Secret Service, leading the investigation alongside the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, has been building a case against Mhana for some time. Special Agent in Charge Reginald DeMatteis highlighted the successful integrated partnership between the two agencies, emphasizing their commitment to dismantling organized criminal groups operating within Charlotte. Chief Johnny Jennings of CMPD echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts.
Mhana will be summoned to appear in federal court in Charlotte to face the charges. If convicted on all four counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael E. Savage and William Bozin are prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and Mhana is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case underscores the growing problem of organized retail theft and its connection to international trafficking networks. The Secret Service and CMPD are sending a clear message: those who profit from stolen goods will be pursued, and Charlotte will not be a safe haven for criminals looking to exploit the community and ship their ill-gotten gains abroad.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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