Way to aim high there, buddy…
Fraudsters seem to be attracted to exotic supercars like moths to the flame. With taxpayer money being handed out seemingly like it’s candy recently, we’ve seen a fair share of people trying to game the system so they can buy some dream cars. However, Mustafa Qadiri of Orange County, California has pulled off one of the loftiest schemes we’ve seen yet, netting an impressive stable of supercars before he was ultimately caught.
Learn why a Ferrari F50 was seized at the US border here.
The US Attorney L.A. Twitter account posted photos of 3 cars seized by authorities. One is a black Lamborghini Aventador, showing Qadiri wasn’t messing around with anything small like a Huracan. The Italian supercar is sitting in a non-descript garage a charger connected to it and the driver’s door open.
Just as impressive is the Ferrari 488 GTB pictured in a parking lot with a tow truck in front, presumably readying to haul the Italian supercar off. With over 700-horsepower on tap, it’s quite the ride, especially when you didn’t have to pay a red cent for it.
Finally, a black Bentley Continental GT right behind a wrecker is also pictured. Maybe the British luxury coupe was the “reasonable” car purchased with taxpayer dollars for lying low?
According to press release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, Qadiri is accused of fraudulently obtaining about $5 million in Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans for a fake business.
Law enforcement arrested Qadiri on the morning of May 7. He’s accused in the federal indictment of claiming to operate 4 Newport Beach-based companies. The only problem is the feds checked and none of those businesses are currently in operation.
Back in May and June of 2020, authorities say Qadiri allegedly submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications at 3 different banks. They allege among the information he provided was someone else’s name, Social Security number, and signature.
Not only did the man buy 3 expensive vehicles, he also went on lavish vacations and paid for various personal expenses – all things PPP loan money isn’t supposed to go toward. Along with the Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley, authorities seized $2 million in funds from his bank account.
We’re sure Qadiri thought he got away with his alleged scheme. The man was able to live the good life for about a year, but the long arm of the law caught up with him and now he could end up paying dearly.
Read the US Attorney’s Office press release here.
