Philadelphia Brothers Sentenced in Elaborate Postal and Bank Fraud Scheme

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By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)
Published March 19th, 2024

PHILADELPHIA – In a striking conclusion to a case that highlights the vulnerability of postal and banking systems to sophisticated fraud, two brothers from the East Coast have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-district scheme targeting the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), and Citizens Bank. The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Jacqueline C. Romero, announced the sentencing of Zumar Dubose, 35, of Atlantic City, NJ, and Abdush Dubose, 37, of Boynton Beach, FL, handed down by United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone.

Zumar Dubose received a sentence of over ten years (125 months) in prison on Friday, March 15, 2024, followed by five years of supervised release. He is also ordered to pay restitution of $281,223. His brother Abdush Dubose was sentenced the day before, on March 14, to 57 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and an identical amount in restitution.

Their brother, Kariem Dubose, 42, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced earlier on February 15, 2024, to two years (24 months) in prison and three years of supervised release, with restitution of $47,813.09.

The Dubose brothers were convicted in May 2023 on charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy, after a federal jury found them guilty of executing a complex fraud scheme beginning as early as October 2018. Over approximately a year and a half, they submitted over 1,200 fraudulent insured-parcel claims to the USPS and UPS, defrauding nearly $300,000.

Using a crafty method, they sent parcels containing worthless items—such as sand or cheap plastic headphones—to themselves while insuring these shipments as if they contained valuable goods. They then filed false claims for these "lost" or "damaged" parcels, furnishing bogus proofs of value for items like brand-name electronics and designer clothing.

The elaborate fraud didn’t stop with false claims. The brothers established a network of fake identities, email addresses, and corporations to funnel the ill-gotten gains into bank accounts at Citizens Bank, using a variety of deceptive practices to avoid detection and maximize their fraudulent earnings. When their claims were denied, or funds were held by the bank, the Duboses resorted to filing lawsuits under false identities against both UPS and Citizens Bank to recover their fraudulent proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Romero underscored the severity of the brothers’ actions, stating, “The Dubose brothers made their fraud a family affair, exploiting policies meant to assist customers with legitimate losses, and amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.” She affirmed the commitment of her office and its partners to combatting such schemes and ensuring justice.

The case was diligently investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with Assistant United States Attorneys Louis D. Lappen and J. Jeanette Kang leading the prosecution. The investigation received critical support from UPS and Citizens Bank, highlighting the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and private sector entities in addressing complex financial crimes.

The sentences handed down to the Dubose brothers serve as a potent deterrent, reflecting the seriousness with which the justice system treats attempts to defraud national postal and banking institutions.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

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