Fraud in the News

COVID-19 ripoff, Wirecard fraud tentacles and more



Defense contractor allegedly rips off $12.8 million in COVID-19 relief aid

Opportunists with no consciences always use crises to commit fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently arrested and charged Martin Kao, 47, the CEO of Martin Defense Group of Honolulu, for allegedly bilking $12.8 million in coronavirus relief aid earmarked for small businesses.

The DOJ charged Kao with bank fraud and money laundering for falsifying loan applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that Congress created as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act.


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