GENESEO, NY — Two Chicago residents, Mateen Mohammed (32) and Akber Mohammed (25), have been indicted by a Livingston County Grand Jury for attempting to defraud a local elderly man of more than $300,000 in a sophisticated scam posing as U.S. Justice Department officials.
The indictment, handed down on June 11, charges each man with second-degree attempted grand larceny, a class C felony. The alleged crime took place on May 30, 2024, in Mount Morris, New York.
According to Livingston County District Attorney Ashley J. Williams, the suspects contacted the victim claiming his computer had been hacked and persuaded him to purchase and surrender valuable items, including precious metals and gems. They then attempted to retrieve the items through a bogus “courier” setup.
The case broke when the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fraud report on May 22. Investigator Martin Herkimer arrested the suspects on May 30 when they arrived at the victim’s residence to collect the merchandise.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations and their out-of-state residency, both men were released due to New York’s current bail reform laws, which do not allow for bail in such cases. Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty criticized the law, saying, “This is sadly another example of just how extreme bail reform measures have gone.”
Both men are due in court before Livingston County Judge Kevin G. Van Allen on July 1, 2025.
Although sharing a last name, the Mohammeds are not related, authorities confirmed.
Additional Grand Jury Indictments:
Carlos DeLeon Maldonado, 36, of Mount Morris: Charged with aggravated family offense and violating a court order.
Marc A. Cruz, 24, of Dansville: Charged with felony DWI and evidence tampering after a crash.
Carissa J. Thompson Robbins, 36, of Campbell: Indicted for felony meth possession.
Alexis Lebron, 27, and Latif Wilson, 24: Inmates indicted for possessing improvised weapons at Groveland Correctional Facility.
