Texas Woman Gets Year for $335K Email Scam

HAMMOND, IN – Rita Alielnour, a resident of Dallas, Texas, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 12 months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release for her part in a sophisticated email compromise and account takeover scheme. The sentence was handed down on April 29, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, following Alielnour’s guilty plea to wire fraud. The case, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Kirsch, highlights the Justice Department’s continued crackdown on digital fraud.

The scheme, which unfolded over a mere two-day period in April 2017, siphoned off over $335,000 from unsuspecting victims. Alielnour’s role was crucial: she opened a bank account under the guise of a nonexistent business, acting as the landing point for fraudulent wire transfers. U.S. Attorney Kirsch was blunt in his assessment: “Email compromise and account takeover schemes cost victims hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Those schemes cannot be accomplished without people who open bank accounts and move the money. People engaged in such acts will be aggressively prosecuted.”

The investigation revealed a meticulously crafted operation. One victim, located in the Northern District of Indiana, was swindled out of a staggering $282,000 intended as a down payment on a home. The perpetrators successfully spoofed the email address of the escrow officer, feeding the victim false wire instructions that directed the funds into Alielnour’s illicit account. Another Texas victim lost nearly $25,000, believing they were paying a legitimate business invoice. A third victim in Texas had their bank account directly compromised, with funds ultimately funneled through Alielnour’s account.

Federal investigators with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, painstakingly traced the money trail, ultimately recovering all of the stolen funds and returning them to the rightful owners. This recovery is a rare win for victims of these increasingly common scams, where recouping losses is often a long shot. The swift action by HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s office prevented further damage and sent a clear message to those involved in similar schemes.

While Alielnour received a year in prison, the masterminds behind the email spoofing and account takeover remain at large. Law enforcement sources indicate the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying and prosecuting the individuals who orchestrated the broader scheme. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of digital transactions and the importance of verifying all wire transfer instructions, regardless of the apparent source.

Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra McTague was responsible for the prosecution of this case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow developments as the investigation unfolds and any additional arrests are made. Victims of similar scams are urged to report incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and their local law enforcement agencies.

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