In brief
Pakistan’s cybercrime police have detained Faheem Akram, a 33‑year‑old from Khanewal, accused of running a worldwide online shop that sold more than five million fake United States postage labels. The scheme – which let customers ship packages at far‑below legitimate rates – cost the postal service roughly $126 million. Akram, who operated LabelsBank.com, faces up to 20 years in prison per wire‑fraud charge and several other counts. The United States offered a $100 000 reward for information leading to his arrest, and the website was shut down after the indictment in Florida.
A man who ran a worldwide counterfeit postage venture has been arrested in Pakistan, after U.S. authorities alleged that his fraud cost the Postal Service $126 million.
Faheem Akram, 33, of Khanewal, operated the online store LabelsBank.com, where more than 5,200 customers bought over five million fake U.S. shipping labels for about $2 each. The labels billed customers as if packages were shipped at rates far below what would normally be required for the weight, size and destination.
The U.S. federal grand jury in Florida indicted Akram last month on conspiracy, counterfeit postage and wire‑fraud charges. A reward of up to $100,000 was announced earlier this month for anyone who could lead authorities to his capture.
U.S. prosecutors say that Akram’s operation siphoned off legitimate shipping revenue, resulting in the postal service’s losses. If convicted, he faces up to five years for each conspiracy and counterfeit count, and up to 20 years on each wire‑fraud count.
The Pakistani cybercrime agency has shut down the website and secured the suspect.
