A
Norwegian man was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison Tuesday for
bilking investors out of more than $1 million by telling them he had the
exclusive rights to stage a series of Justin Bieber concerts.
Norwegian man was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison Tuesday for
bilking investors out of more than $1 million by telling them he had the
exclusive rights to stage a series of Justin Bieber concerts.
Waleed
Ahmed, 22, has been in custody since his arrest at San Francisco
International Airport in 2012, and pleaded guilty to one count of wire
fraud last year. He admitted that he and coconspirators took the money
knowing there was no contract with the Canadian pop star’s management
for exclusive rights to his 2013 Scandinavian concerts. A federal judge
in Los Angeles also ordered Ahmed to repay investors more than $1
million.
According to court
documents, Ahmed promised an investor that he would reap $9 million in
profits in three months. To make his pitch credible, he produced photos
of himself with Norwegian dignitaries and Queen Rania of Jordan.
At
age 19, Ahmed received a grant from the Norwegian government for a
solar energy project, and had his picture taken with members of the
nation’s ruling party. A Norwegian court issued a default judgment that
he owes an investor $600,000. He also charged with insurance fraud in
Norway for allegedly falsely reporting his car stolen.
age 19, Ahmed received a grant from the Norwegian government for a
solar energy project, and had his picture taken with members of the
nation’s ruling party. A Norwegian court issued a default judgment that
he owes an investor $600,000. He also charged with insurance fraud in
Norway for allegedly falsely reporting his car stolen.
