FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
OCTOBER 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VIRGINIA MAN CONVICTED IN MONEY TRANSMITTING CASE
Greenbelt, Maryland - Rod J. Rosenstein, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland announced that Mohammad Bajwa, 39, of Herndon, Virginia was convicted today on charges of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and committing wire fraud in connection with a personal mortgage refinancing application. In addition the jury ordered Bajwa to forfeit his residence, and nearly $4 million in cash.
According to testimony at trial, Bajwa operated a money transmitting business that accepted cash from individuals in Virginia and elsewhere for transmission to Pakistan and other countries. Bajwa wired the monies to overseas banks and used his brother and others in Pakistan to deliver the money to recipients. Between 1999 and August 13, 2002, Bajwa wired and caused to be wired more than $6 million overseas.
In addition, in late 2001, Bajwa sought to refinance his home at 1302 Summerfield Drive, Herndon, Virginia, and submitted, in connection with his application for the loan, false corporate and individual tax returns for 1999 and 2000.
Bajwa faces a maximum sentence of five years on each count. Sentencing is set for November 29, 2005 before the Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr. Bajwa was previously convicted in April in the same court of immigration fraud and was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division for their work in this two year investigation. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys David I. Salem and Chan Park, who prosecuted the case.
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