PITTSBURGH, PA – Mahmoud Almasry, a 44-year-old Middle Eastern man residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment, unsealed in February 2026, alleges Almasry fraudulently entered the United States in 2016 by assuming the identity of a deceased individual and continued to use that identity for nearly a decade.
The charges against Mahmoud Almasry stem from an elaborate scheme where he is accused of using the identity of his wife’s first husband, Mohammad Jiham, who was deceased. According to court documents, Almasry applied for refugee status in July 2016 under the assumed name and subsequently entered the U.S. on November 28, 2016. Within two weeks of his entry, he allegedly obtained a Social Security card under Jiham’s identity. The fraudulent activity continued as he secured lawful permanent residence status and a permanent resident card in October 2018, still using the stolen identity. Most recently, in January 2024, Almasry is accused of signing an application for naturalization as Jiham, under penalty of perjury, further perpetuating the deceit.
The indictment does not specify a monetary amount stolen or lost as a direct result of Almasry’s alleged actions. However, the primary victim is the deceased individual whose identity was exploited, and the integrity of the U.S. immigration system has been significantly compromised. This case highlights the vulnerabilities within identity verification processes when individuals exploit personal information for fraudulent gain, impacting government agencies like the Social Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Who Is Mahmoud Almasry?
Mahmoud Almasry, also known by the alias Mohammad Jiham, is described as a 44-year-old Middle Eastern man. His specific nationality has not been publicly disclosed beyond this general identification. Details regarding his profession or any organizations he may have been associated with in the context of these alleged crimes are not available. It’s important to differentiate this individual from others with similar names, such as an actor, a human rights advocate, or an Islamic scholar, as their biographies and locations do not align with the details of this investigation.
The extensive investigation leading to the indictment was a collaborative effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While the specific methods by which the fraud was uncovered have not been publicly detailed, such cases often involve cross-referencing databases, tips, or discrepancies found during routine checks or subsequent applications. The longevity of the alleged scheme, nearly a decade, underscores the sophisticated nature of the identity theft.
“This indictment serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by identity theft and the critical importance of robust verification systems to protect the integrity of our nation’s immigration processes.”
Mahmoud Almasry is currently charged with fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents, and aggravated identity theft. An indictment is an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. He has not yet entered a plea in the case. If convicted, Almasry faces a maximum total sentence of up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence would be determined by the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting the case. No trial date has been set, and there is no information available regarding any asset freezes.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance against identity fraud. Red flags that could potentially prevent similar schemes often include inconsistencies in personal information across documents, suspicious-looking identification, or the use of identities belonging to deceased individuals. It’s crucial for institutions to implement and regularly update robust identity verification processes. Readers can learn more about related fraud investigations by visiting The Financial Standard. Consumers should remain alert to any unauthorized use of their personal information and report suspicious activity immediately to relevant authorities.
