Ahmed Hussain, a 23-year-old resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland, has been sentenced to 102 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $557,078 in restitution. The sentence was handed down by District Judge Deborah L. Boardman and includes three years of supervised release. Hussain was convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft related to fraudulent CARES Act unemployment insurance claims, as well as felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentencing along with officials from the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office, and the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to court documents, between 2021 and September 2022, Hussain participated in a scheme that defrauded the United States, the State of Maryland, financial institutions, and individuals through false unemployment insurance claims submitted to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL). The conspiracy resulted in more than $3.5 million in fraudulent benefits obtained using stolen identities. Hussain personally contributed to losses exceeding $550,000 by using debit cards issued under victims’ names.
The scheme involved co-conspirators Bryan Nushawn Ruffin and Kiara Smith—employees at a company contracted by MD-DOL—who used their access to state databases to alter claim information and facilitate fraudulent payments. This included changing contact details on existing claims and approving documents for fake applications.
During a search warrant executed at Hussain’s residence on November 16, 2022, law enforcement found him in possession of a stolen handgun linked to drug trafficking activities. Officers also discovered marijuana packaged for distribution and various rounds of ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions, Hussain was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Co-defendants Ruffin, Smith, Zakria Hussain (“Oso”), and Lawrence Nathanial Harris (“Manman”/“Biggbank”) have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The case is part of efforts by the District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force—a team established by the U.S. Department of Justice focused on investigating large-scale pandemic relief fraud schemes targeting programs like those created under the CARES Act.
"The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," according to information provided about these strike forces. "The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors."
Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19-related fraud can report it via the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or through an online complaint form available at justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Hayes recognized investigative agencies including DOL-OIG, ATF, FBI, PGPD as well as MD-DOL for their roles in this case’s investigation. She also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Paul A. Riley, Joseph L. Wenner, Christopher Sarma; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanay Mitchell; Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber; and members of the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force for their contributions.
More information about resources or reporting fraud can be found at justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
