Detroit, MI → A Shelby Township man who helped orchestrate a multi-million-dollar pandemic relief fraud scheme has been sentenced to federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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Samer Kammo, 46, was sentenced Thursday to 36 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and bank fraud tied to fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Federal investigators say Kammo and his co-conspirators submitted fake PPP loan applications for multiple business entities, inflating payroll numbers and falsely claiming the funds would be used for legitimate business purposes. Court records show the group created fictitious payroll documents, tax forms, health insurance records, and banking paperwork to support the fraudulent applications.
Authorities say Kammo and members of his family ultimately received nearly $2.5 million in pandemic relief funds through the scheme.
As part of his sentence, Kammo was ordered to pay $2,493,348.50 in restitution.
Officials said the fraud went even further, with conspirators using the personal identifying information of several of Kammo’s own family members — including his mother — to carry out the scheme.
“This defendant and his co-conspirators tried to cheat the system by exploiting a federal relief program meant to help Americans in need,” said FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan. “If you abuse government programs for personal gain, you will be found, and you will face serious consequences under the law.”
Homeland Security Investigations echoed that message, noting that enforcement efforts tied to pandemic-era fraud remain active years after the programs ended.
“Although the pandemic is years behind us, HSI and our partners are committed to holding fraudsters accountable for PPP fraud,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey.
Kammo was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey. His co-defendant, Rita Shaba, was previously sentenced to 27 months in prison, while Kammo’s wife, Christina Anasi, is still awaiting sentencing.
Court records also show this is not Kammo’s first federal prison sentence. He previously served three years for dealing drugs out of his parents’ liquor store.
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