Not every criminal on the run is in hiding. Sami Raja, age 32, was sentenced to 8 years of jail time in Dubai last January. Instead of completing his jail time, he’s currently flaunting his $4k Rolex and $33k Aston Martin on Instagram. How did this happen, and could you be scammed by someone like Raja and have them get away with it? This is why authorities believe he is on the run.

Sami Raja Fraudster

According to the courts in Dubai, Raja is a con man. His theft and cons were no small feat. He was sentenced for his role in $2.4M in fraud. He participated in a fake carbon credit scheme. When he made a profit, he didn’t use the money as his victims believed. Instead, the profits bought him his luxury items. However, right before his trial, he fled Dubai and never faced the music at a Southwark Crown Court. They made a ruling in his absence.

The worst part about Raja’s luxurious lifestyle is that he would steal from elderly victims. His persuasive phone behavior would trick seniors into giving him their life savings. He and four other fraudster associates would mis-sell carbon credits and create financial fraud victims out of those who trusted him. This occurred through 2 companies: Harman Royce Ltd. and Kendrick Zale Ltd, from January 2012 to August 2013.

The con was simple for him. The victims answered calls from so-called brokers of the company. These callers use fake names and tricked their victims into investing in VERs, a type of carbon credit for voluntary emission reductions. The criminals targeted people who were 50+ and lived in affluent areas.

The carbon credit purchased did not have a secondary market value, and the profits the companies projected were fake. Another con was to get people to buy CERs (Certified Emission Reductions) at inflated prices. These same elderly victims were then to become “investors” in ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) and sell prior shares with legitimate companies. All of this is a recipe for financial ruin!

How can you protect yourself from fraudulent callers?

• Never give out your credit card or financial information to anyone who calls by phone.
• Verify the name of people, phone numbers, companies, company logo, or profile pictures.
• Hang-up. When in doubt, hang-up and research the caller online.

While victims are still waiting for Sami Raja to be brought to justice, many believe it is only a matter of time, especially when his whereabouts may be revealed on Instagram. Protect yourself and your family by using a high powered algorithm-based search on Social Catfish. We can fact check the name, username, phone number, profile picture, and more to keep you and your finances SAFE.

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