Jamal Nathan Dawood, a 55-year-old resident of Burbank, was sentenced on May 4 to ten years in federal prison for embezzling approximately $1.8 million from an estate left to an elderly victim by the victim’s late brother.
Dawood, also known as "Jimmy Dawood," received his sentence from United States District Judge James V. Selna, who ordered him to pay $1,862,352 in restitution and fined him $30,000. The sentencing follows a jury verdict in July 2025 that found Dawood guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering.
According to the case details presented at trial, Dawood offered in the second half of 2019 to help the victim manage real estate properties and retirement savings inherited from the victim’s deceased brother. He assisted with opening a trust account but then transferred funds without authorization into accounts he controlled or those linked to personal associates. Dawood also convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and inherited real estate holdings under false pretenses; these assets were placed into companies controlled by Dawood and his associates.
In total, authorities said that at least $1,862,352 was obtained through fraudulent means and used for purchasing real estate in La Crescenta and Fontana. The FBI investigated this matter while Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin N. Spencer and Melissa S. Rabbani prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California supports community outreach through programs focused on victim assistance and public education according to its official website. The office serves more than 19 million residents across seven counties according to its official website and focuses on prosecuting federal criminal cases as well as handling civil matters for the government according to its official website. E. Martin Estrada has held the position of United States Attorney for this district according to its official website, which works with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners across seven counties according to its official website.
For individuals age 60 or older who have been victims of financial fraud, assistance is available via the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Reporting such crimes can help authorities identify perpetrators; timely reporting may increase chances of recovering losses.
