Omaha ringleader sentenced for wire fraud, identity theft conspiracy

OMAHA, Neb. — United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Abas Ali, 22, of Omaha, was sentenced in federal court on Friday, Nov. 8, for his role in a wire fraud and identity theft conspiracy. Chief U.S. District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ali to 27 months in prison for wire fraud and 24 months for aggravated identity theft, totaling 51 months. Ali will also serve a five-year supervised release after his prison term, as federal sentences do not allow for parole.

The charges stem from a series of thefts across Omaha and Council Bluffs, where a task force from Sarpy, Douglas, and Pottawattamie Counties was mobilized to investigate an uptick in vehicle burglaries. According to authorities, Ali and his co-conspirators conducted these thefts by slowly driving through neighborhoods while designated "runners" would steal valuables—including credit cards, IDs, and money—from vehicles.

The stolen cards were then used at local retailers to purchase items such as prepaid cards, food, and drinks. Conspirators also bought money orders, which they deposited in bank and bitcoin accounts to conceal the illicit proceeds.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the scheme. Co-conspirators Hassan Mohamed and Hazem Sarmin were sentenced in June 2024 to 44 and 42 months in prison, respectively. Two others, Ian Betkie and Bead Chan, are scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 5, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2025.

The case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. For more information, contact Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lecia Wright at (402) 661-3700.