Ohio Brothers Get Over 20 Years for $21M Fraud Scheme Posing as Middle Eastern Royalty

In a stunning case of greed and corruption, Zubair and Muzzammil Al Zubair, two brothers from Ohio, were handed prison sentences of 24 and 23 years respectively for orchestrating a $21 million fraud scheme. The pair posed as Middle Eastern royalty to dupe victims and live a life of luxury, federal prosecutors revealed.

U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent did not mince words during sentencing. “You stole a lot of money, defrauded people and put East Cleveland in a terrible light,” he said. The brothers flaunted their ill-gotten gains with Rolls-Royces, private planes, and extravagant trips to Aspen, Miami, London, and beyond.

The scam was made possible with help from a corrupt insider: Michael Smedley, former chief of staff to East Cleveland’s mayor. Prosecutors said the brothers bribed Smedley with lavish gifts, expensive meals, cash, and even Cleveland Browns suite tickets. In return, Smedley abused his official position to help them secure state funding, provide official city letterhead, issue police credentials, and appoint Zubair as an “International Economic Advisor” for East Cleveland.

The fraud was elaborate. Muzzammil claimed to be a hedge fund manager based only on YouTube tutorials, while Zubair falsely asserted he was married to a United Arab Emirates princess. They cheated a Chinese investor out of nearly $18 million by falsely promising ownership of an industrial complex and a cryptocurrency business launch. They also defrauded Zubair’s former girlfriend from the UAE of $737,000.

The federal jury convicted the brothers and Smedley on multiple counts including conspiracy to commit bribery involving federally funded programs, honest services wire fraud, the Hobbs Act conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, theft of government funds, and tax evasion.

This case underscores the ongoing threat of corruption and fraud that undermines public trust and wastes taxpayer money. The Al Zubair brothers and their enabler exploited their positions and the goodwill of victims for years before justice caught up with them. Their sentences send a clear message: no one is above the law when it comes to defrauding the public and abusing government resources.