Yasin Saleem has been charged with conspiracy and wire fraud for allegedly defrauding Home Depot of over $800,000. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated that Saleem and others used fake driver's licenses and fraudulent debit cards to exploit weaknesses in Home Depot's equipment rental services.
"Saleem and a crew of conspirators allegedly used fictitious driver’s licenses and fraudulent debits cards to exploit vulnerabilities within Home Depot’s equipment and tool rental service by stealing more than $800,000," said Buchanan. He emphasized the commitment of his office to work with law enforcement to tackle such criminal activities.
Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, highlighted the case as an example of organized retail crime's complexity. "Saleem’s retail theft scheme not only resulted in substantial financial loss for Home Depot but highlights the complex and widespread nature of organized retail crime," he noted.
According to court details provided by Buchanan, Saleem and his co-conspirators allegedly used false identities with matching debit cards during equipment rentals at Home Depot. These cards were reportedly issued shortly before being used in the fraudulent activities and contained just enough funds for the transactions.
The accused did not return the rented items, nor did their debit cards have sufficient funds to cover the cost of these materials. They also allegedly disabled GPS trackers on rented equipment to avoid detection and used stolen license plates as part of their scheme. In total, they are accused of stealing over $800,000 worth of goods from Home Depot.
Saleem, aged 45 from Macon, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Christopher C. Bly on October 25, 2024. His indictment came after a federal grand jury decision on June 25, 2024.
It is important to note that charges in an indictment do not imply guilt; Saleem is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber leads the prosecution.
For additional information regarding this case or related inquiries, contact can be made through USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or by phone at (404) 581-6016. The official website for further details is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.