Elderly Missoulian Scammed Out of Nearly $1 Million; Indian National Charged

MISSOULA, MT— An Indian national has been charged in federal court for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from an elderly victim in Missoula, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.

Zabi Ullah Mohammed, age 29, made his initial court appearance on May 14, 2025, facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and impersonating a federal agent. If found guilty, Mohammed could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a minimum of three years of supervised release.

The case was heard by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto, who ordered Mohammed’s detention pending further proceedings.

The criminal complaint alleges that in April 2025, Mohammed and his accomplices contacted the elderly victim, posing as representatives of Amazon. They inquired about a purchase of computer equipment the victim had not made. Upon denial, they informed her that her identity had been stolen, transferring the call to fake agents from the “Social Security Department” and the “U.S. Marshal.” These imposters asserted that the victim’s bank account funds needed to be “legalized.” Subsequently, an individual visited the victim’s home multiple times to collect cash and gold.

Law enforcement apprehended Mohammed when he attempted another visit to the victim’s residence. A search of his vehicle revealed airline tickets, car rental agreements, and a bag containing approximately $68,987 in cash.

The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

To track the progress of the case, consult the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. More information on establishing a PACER account is available at pacer.gov, with access to the District Court’s calendar at ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov.