Arif Zaheer is a name that may sound familiar to many people, particularly those in the Pakistani community in the United States. Unfortunately, this familiarity stems not from positive contributions but rather from his history of fraudulent behavior.
Zaheer has been accused of scamming numerous clients through his fly-by-night travel agencies before moving on to the real estate sector. He has been accused of tarnishing the reputations of the entire Muslim and Pakistani communities due to his scams. Evidence of his fraudulent behavior can be found online, which reports that he scammed several families out of their life savings and served time in jail in multiple states. His probation will continue until 2041, and authorities keep records of all those who associate with him.
Zaheer has also falsely claimed to be a Medical Doctor despite being a college dropout. He has listed multiple degrees on his website, including two Bachelor’s degrees, three Masters degrees, and a Ph.D. from Ashwood University which is questionable.
Zaheer has been known to use different names to commit his crimes, including Aarif, Arif Siddiqi, Arif Zaheer Siddiqi, Arif Yousufi, Shah Arif, and Andrew. He has had criminal charges ranging from Grand Theft, Scheme to Defraud, and many others. In 2007, he had the famous case of Grand Theft of Over $100,000 in the Orange County Case# 0916449, which set up a process of parole for the next 30 years. He again had another case where he was proven guilty of Grand Theft Between $10,000 and $20,000 in the Orange county Case# 1115353.
Zaheer’s legal problems have never stopped him before, and it is likely that he will continue unless the whole Indian & Pakistani community stops entertaining him. His wife, Iffat Zaheer, has also been involved in many of these scams since the beginning of his profession in the US. It is unclear if she is still active.
To prevent individuals from falling victim to Zaheer’s scams, it is important to notify the relevant individuals and organizations. For instance, if you are aware that Arif Zaheer is involved in an upcoming Pakistani event, it is essential to notify the event organizers and those associated with the event. This is particularly important in situations where people might be invited to invest or make financial contributions.
It is also important for the Pakistani and Muslim communities to work together to identify and prevent individuals like Arif Zaheer from committing fraud. In September 2007, Vinay and Nimisha Patel engaged the services of defendant Arif Zaheer, a realtor, to purchase a commercial building in Daytona Beach, FL. They signed a contract for $1,750,000.00, with an initial deposit of $50,000.00, and later paid an additional $387,500.00 to Remax Vista and/or Vista Horizons, which were Zaheer’s real estate offices. Despite several contract extensions, the sale fell through in August 2008, and the Patels signed a cancellation of contract to get their escrow money back. However, when they did not hear from Zaheer, they contacted the seller’s realtor, who informed them that the property had already been sold.
When Zaheer proposed repaying the Patels in monthly installments, they declined. Instead, he wired $20,150.00 and gave them several cheques to cover the balance. Unfortunately, Zaheer’s account did not have enough funds to cover the cheques, and as a result, the Patels were deprived of $392,350.00. The fraudster was arrested on November 11, 2009 around 9:00 AM and was being questioned by an economic detective before being taken to the Bookings and Receiving Center.
It is important to note that individuals who engage in fraudulent activities are not only breaking the law but also causing harm to their victims and eroding the public’s trust in financial institutions and professionals. This can have far-reaching consequences, including economic instability and decreased confidence in the financial system.
In conclusion, the case of Arif Zaheer serves as a cautionary tale for individuals and businesses alike. It highlights the importance of conducting due diligence and working with trusted professionals when engaging in financial transactions. It also underscores the need for increased awareness of financial fraud and the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.
As consumers, we must be vigilant and proactive in protecting ourselves from financial scams and fraudulent activities. This includes staying informed about the latest scams and taking steps to protect our personal and financial information. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can help to reduce the incidence of financial fraud and create a more secure financial system for all.
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