Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Mubasher Riaz, a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This plea is part of an online refund scheme that operated from July 2017 until his arrest in November 2023. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., with Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI's Detroit Division.
Court records reveal that Mubasher Riaz and his brother, Muzzammil Riaz, were charged earlier this year for their roles in the scheme. Muzzammil Riaz admitted guilt on June 4, 2025, acknowledging his lesser involvement. Both brothers confessed to using fraudulent identities and other means to purchase goods online without detection. Items such as cell phones and tablets were bought and then falsely claimed as defective to obtain refunds without returning the actual products.
The FBI discovered the fraudulent activities during a search at Mubasher Riaz's home while investigating him for another matter in November 2023. Agents found over 40 cell phones and 30 tablets labeled with different identities used in the fraud scheme. The total financial loss to vendors exceeded $400,000.
Several email accounts were linked to the fraudulent purchases and refunds:
- docriaz1983@gmail.com
- honorrollmd@gmail.com
- joota429@gmail.com
- muza34082@outlook.com
- juka4299@gmail.com
- juano42@yahoo.com
The Federal Bureau of Investigation urges potential victims of this scheme to reach out through their website.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Zurek following an investigation by the FBI.
