Zakria Hussain, a 28-year-old from Prince George’s County, Maryland, has admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to fraudulent CARES Act unemployment insurance claims. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office.
The plea agreement reveals that between March 2021 and August 2022, Hussain and others defrauded the United States and Maryland by submitting false unemployment insurance claims through the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL). The scheme involved at least six identity theft victims and resulted in over $3.5 million being fraudulently obtained. Hussain personally contributed to losses exceeding $550,000 but less than $1.5 million.
Hussain collaborated with co-conspirators Bryan Nushawn Ruffin from Woodbridge, Virginia, and Kiara Smith from Fort Washington, Maryland, who worked for a company providing support services to MD-DOL. They accessed non-public UI data using computers issued by their employer to alter existing UI claims.
The conspirators manipulated contact details and payment methods on UI claims using stolen personal information. They uploaded fraudulent documents, removed fraud holds on claims, certified benefits weeks improperly, and redirected funds meant for legitimate claimants into accounts they controlled.
Hussain faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy and an additional mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft. Co-defendants Ruffin, Smith, and Ahmed Hussain have pleaded guilty and await sentencing while Lawrence Nathanial Harris and Terry Chen await trial.
Sentencing is influenced by various factors including U.S. Sentencing Guidelines; Zakria Hussain's hearing is set for December 19.
The District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force was established by the Department of Justice to combat pandemic-related frauds like those involving the CARES Act which aimed to aid Americans during COVID-19 economic hardships.
For more information about pandemic response or reporting attempted COVID-19 fraud visit justice.gov/coronavirus or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised DOL-OIG's efforts along with FBI's involvement in this case as well as assistance provided by MD-DOL; acknowledgment was also given towards Assistant U.S Attorneys Harry M Gruber Paul A Riley Joseph L Wenner Paralegal Specialist Joanna B N Huber among others assisting within investigation processes
For further insights into Maryland U S Attorney’s Office activities priorities resources against fraud please refer visiting justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach
