Four charged following 2015 raid at Elite Imports
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Four people face federal charges in connection to a racketeering scheme run out of two used car dealerships in Indianapolis, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Mohamed Noshi Mahmoud, Mahdi Kehlifi, Issa Kayyali and Hamza Dridi have all been charged in the case.
The group is accused of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) practices.
“As is so often the case in these fraud cases, the ultimate victims are the ones least that can least afford it,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. “Elite Motors abused processes in place that would allow citizens with subprime credit to get back on their feet through legitimate vehicle sales.”
Minkler’s office said the group has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and interstate transportation of stolen property.
Minkler said the group would use fraudulent documents to underwrite the purchase of cars, trucks and motorcycles on behalf of their customers. Elite Motors would also submit false claims of stolen vehicles. Investigators also said that Elite Motors committed theft against specialty financing companies that gave Elite short-term financing and lines of credit.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Social Security, OIG, the Lawrence Police Department (Indiana), and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance provided by the Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Division and the Indiana Attorney General Consumer Fraud Division.
“The defendants allegedly participated in an illicit organization that affected interstate commerce through the transportation of stolen property, money laundering, mail and wire fraud. In doing so, they utilized the U.S. Mail, which brought to bear the full investigative attention of Postal Inspectors,” said Patricia Armstrong, acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure actions such as these are aggressively investigated and pursued for criminal prosecution.”
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.
