MDA
Texas Lottery
Homepage > Houston News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Investigation: Military, FBI Scammed With Counterfeit Computer Parts

POSTED: 10:45 pm CST December 24, 2007
UPDATED: 10:54 pm CST December 24, 2007

Two men were charged with felony crimes, accused of scamming the military and other sensitive government agencies with counterfeit computer parts, Local 2 Investigates reported Monday.

Federal agents said the phony computer equipment was sold to the U.S. Air Force, the Marine Corps, the FBI, Department of Energy and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Two Richmond brothers are now facing felony indictments, charged with conspiracy and trafficking in counterfeit goods. Michael Edman, 36, and Robert Edman, 28, are due in court on Jan. 4 to face a federal judge.

The indictment accuses the pair of registering a business name of "Syren Technology" and importing imitation computer cards and other components, passing them off as being manufactured by technology giant, Cisco Systems.

The men are charged with importing cartons full of phony stickers with the Cisco Systems logo and attaching the stickers to imitation computer components.

They are also accused of importing empty boxes with Cisco logos to package the equipment for shipment to the military and other agencies to make them appear to be the higher priced, legitimate product.

Michael Edman declined to answer the door at his rural Richmond home, and he then drove away as a Local 2 investigative reporter tried to ask him for comment.

Federal prosecutors have filed paperwork in court moving to seize his home and his ranch land, valued at nearly $500,000, according to Fort Bend County Appraisal District records.

Neighbors reported seeing cartons of computer equipment coming and going from the house until agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency raided the home.

Prosecutors could not be reached to comment on the indictment. Their indictment does not mention whether any of the questionable products failed after being shipped to the various military and other agencies.

Other victims, according to the indictment, are federal prisons throughout the nation, a cable TV enterprise, and local government agencies on the West Coast.

If convicted of the charges, the men could be sent to federal prison or they could receive probation.

The younger brother could not be located for comment.

Court papers said federal agents received much of their information, including specifics on shipments of the phony merchandise and payment amounts, from the seller of the counterfeit goods in China. That person is listed in court papers as an "un-indicted co-conspirator," and he does not face any charges at this time.


Links We Like
A properly selected and installed window can save you lots of money when it comes to your heating, cooling and lighting costs. More

You’re feeling confident and you really want this job. Don’t shrink your chances of landing it by making any of these six common interview mistakes. More

Harmless mole or deadly skin cancer? Find out how to tell the difference, and see all the risks and signs of skin cancer. More

Check out these great tips for turning your house into a money making machine. More

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.
Sponsored Links
Power Search