Charlotte business owner indicted for selling stolen phones overseas

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte businessman has been indicted on charges of selling stolen phones and other electronic devices overseas, officials said.

A federal criminal indictment charges Rami Mahmod Mhana, 45, of Charlotte with four counts of transportation of stolen goods, according to U.S. Attorney Dena J. King.

According the indictment, from May 2017 through October 2019, Mhana bought hundreds of fraudulently obtained phones and devices which he sold and shipped overseas to the United Arab Emirates and to Hong Kong. The indictment says Mhana knew the devices were stolen or chose to ignore that fact.

Prosecutors said Mhana obtained the stolen devices from “boosters,” people who steal items and sell them for profit. The indictment also says Mhana’s businesses were known to boosters as places they could sell stolen devices for cash with no questions asked.

If convicted, Mhana faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

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FBI shares new details on how man took down Charlotte business by stealing information for China

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