Do you like having deals delivered to your inbox? Sign up for my emails for the latest info. "Like" ConsumerQueen on Facebook for more savings and share your own deals.This post may contain affiliate links which keep this site FREE. Read my full disclosure here.
The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a joint investigation into a counterfeit coupon organization. This joint investigation lasted five months and concluded when the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations arrested three men and a woman; Samir Muhana, age 29 of Philadelphia, Hayat Abuali, age 26 of Philadelphia, Nimir Raja, age 34 of Philadelphia and Wayne Wiggins Jr., age 20 of Philadelphia.
Muhana is charged with Organized Retail Theft (Felony 2), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Organized Retail Theft (Felony 2), Criminal Solicitation to commit Organized Retail Theft and Tampering with Records or Identification (Misdemeanor 1).
Abuali is charged with Criminal Conspiracy to commit Theft by Deception (Misdemeanor 3), Theft by Deception (Misdemeanor 3) and Retail Theft (Summary).
Raja is charged with Criminal Conspiracy to commit Theft by Deception (Misdemeanor 1), Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Deception (misdemeanor 1) and Criminal Attempt to Commit Retail Theft (misdemeanor 1).
Wiggins is Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to commit Theft by Deception (Misdemeanor 1), Criminal Attempt to commit Retail Theft and Criminal Attempt to commit theft By Deception (Misdemeanor 1).
All four defendants were arraigned in Bucks County by Magisterial District Justice (MDJ) C. Robert Roth. MDJ Roth set bail for Abuali, Raja and Wiggins at 10% of $25,000 which they failed to post and were remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility. MDJ Roth set Muhana’s bail at 10% of $100,000 which he failed to post and was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
This organization would utilize fraudulent manufactures coupons to purchase merchandise from retail stores and pay a small percentage of the retail price. Then this merchandise would be sold to bodega stores in Philadelphia County for profit. This organization would target specific merchandise that included baby formula, diapers, Red Bull energy drinks, cooking oil, coffee and Tide laundry detergent. This type of scam costs corporations millions of dollars each year which in return causes higher prices for the consumer.
Information obtained from PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE REPORT – Incident # X73-0041640 provided to us by the Coupon Information Center
Share and Enjoy
About the Author
Princess Karen has written 1418 posts on ConsumerQueen.com.
Karen is a ConsumerQueen.com Princess and is our Frugal Expert! Karen also works on CQ Charity Events and administrative details. Karen also writes for MetroFamily.com.
