Abdul Waheed Mohammed, 33, was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison for his role in a scheme that defrauded an elderly Rapid City woman out of more than $100,000. Mohammed was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was ordered to pay $163,000 in restitution.
Federal prosecutors said Mohammed and co‑defendant Shalinee Vyas, 46, convinced the victim in 2023 that she needed to hand over $110,000 in cash and gold to avoid being arrested. Vyas was sentenced in October to 63 months in federal prison for her role in the scheme.
During sentencing, Mohammed’s attorney told the court that Mohammed became angry and emotional after hearing directly from the victims, calling the circumstances of the case “unique.” Along with his prison term, Mohammed was ordered to undergo psychological treatment.
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