US Offers $100,000 Reward for Information on Khanewal Man in $126 Million Postal Fraud Case

The United States Postal Inspection Service has announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Faheem Akram, a 33-year-old Pakistani national from Khanewal, Punjab, who is wanted in connection with an alleged counterfeit postage scheme that caused more than $126 million in losses to the U.S. Postal Service.

According to U.S. authorities, Akram allegedly operated LabelsBank.com, an unauthorized website that sold counterfeit U.S. postage labels for around $2 each, regardless of a package’s weight, size or destination.

Investigators said more than 5,200 customers purchased over 5.1 million counterfeit shipping labels through the website, allowing packages to be mailed at rates significantly below legitimate USPS charges and causing substantial losses to the Postal Service.

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has indicted Akram on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and to make and sell counterfeit postage stamps, five counts of making and selling counterfeit postage stamp labels, and four counts of wire fraud.

If convicted, Akram faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy and counterfeit postage charges and up to 20 years on each wire fraud count.

U.S. authorities have seized the LabelsBank.com domain and shut down the website. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones described the alleged operation as “simple but massive,” while Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of the USPIS Miami Division said authorities would pursue criminals targeting the postal system across international borders.

The Postal Inspection Service has issued a wanted notice for Akram and warned the public not to attempt to apprehend him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the agency at 1-877-876-2455 and say “Law Enforcement,” quoting Case No. 4572266. Authorities said all tips will be kept confidential.

Local reports in Pakistan have identified Akram as a resident of Khanewal and described him as a software engineer and IT specialist.