INDIANAPOLIS -- Four Indianapolis-area men are facing federal racketeering charges for allegedly running three "interlocking fraud schemes" out of their business, Elite Car Imports.
Call 6 Investigator Rafael Sanchez first reported in September 2015 that the FBI was investigating Elite Import's dealership at 46th Street and Keystone Avenue. At the time, the FBI declined to comment on the nature of the investigation.
CALL 6 | FBI investigating Indianapolis car dealership
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced RICO (Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act) charges, as well as allegations of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and interstate transportation of stolen property against four suspects:
- Mohamed Noshi Mahmoud, a/k/a Noshi 39, Fishers
- Mahdi Kehlifi, 23, Indianapolis
- Issa Kayyali, 28, Indianapolis
- Hamza Dridi, a/k/a Alex, 26, Indianapolis
Federal prosecutors allege Mahmoud was the ringleader of the scheme, which allegedly operated out of two used car dealerships and several shell companies in Indianapolis.
Mahmoud and his associates are accused of engaging in "three separate but interlocking fraud schemes," the first of which was to procure fraudulent documents and submit them to lending institutions to underwrite the purchase of vehicles.
Investigators said the second scheme was a conspiracy to defraud insurance carriers by submitting false claims of stolen vehicles. A search of Elite Imports' chop shop storage unit found stolen vehicles and parts located inside.
The third alleged scheme involved theft from specialty financing companies and false representations made by Elite Imports' management.
The investigation was a joint effort by the U.S Attorney's Office, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Social Security Office of the Inspector General.
All four defendants face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
