Courier for India-based fraud scheme sentenced to 6 years in prison

A man originally from India found guilty in October 2025 of stealing almost $2 million from older scam victims was sentenced Thursday morning to six years in prison in Missoula federal court.

Zabi Mohammed, 29, was found guilty at trial of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. He was found not guilty on one charge charge of impersonating a federal officer.

Proceedings in the case were held before U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy.

Mohammed served as a courier for a scam that government agents believe is based in India that stole about $3 million from older victims across the country. The scammers would contact their victims via phone or computer pop-ups claiming their identity had been stolen. According to court documents, they'd then pose as agents of the FTC, Microsoft or other organizations and tell victims their identity was being used to commit crimes. The victims were told they had to hand over their money to the federal government for safekeeping or else be criminally liable. The scammers would then send one of many couriers to the victim's house to pick up the cash or gold.

At trial, both sides agreed Mohammed had served as one of these couriers. The main argument was whether he knew what he was doing was illegal. The jury agreed with the prosecution that Mohammed was a knowing participant, but found there was insufficient proof he'd intentionally represented himself as a federal officer.

During his sentencing arguments, Mohammed's lawyer Nick Brooke stressed that Mohammed chose to give the government access to his phone without an immunity deal, against the advice of his lawyers. Almost all of the government's evidence at trial came from that phone. Brooke said Mohammed offered to show the government physical addresses where he'd dropped off the money, but the government didn't take him up on the offer.

Brooke urged a lenient sentence, saying Mohammed was remorseful for his role in the scheme and wanted to make things right.

"My client has shed many tears to me talking about this case," Brooke said. "My client wanted to help. He stands before you facing sentencing for an excess of what he deserves."

"If he serves another day in jail," Brooke continued, "it's a great injustice to him."

In addressing the court, Mohammed expressed remorse while maintaining his innocence.

"They lied to me as they lied to them," Mohammed said. "I'm profoundly ashamed of the acts I did unknowingly."

While Mohammed has a green card and resides in New Jersey, he is an Indian citizen. Because of this, Molloy remarked as he imposed sentencing that Mohammed is likely to be deported to India. Molloy also expressed surprise that the government had not offered Mohammed leniency in exchange for information about the locations he delivered money to.

Mohammed must also pay $2.8 million in restitution. Though he personally only picked up almost $1.8 million, the restitution amount holds him accountable for all the money that the scam received from its victims.

Brooke told Molloy at the end of the hearing he intends to file a motion of appeal. He told the Missoulian he anticipates there being legal issues to appeal in both the trial and the sentencing.