Phoenix Felon Gets 10 Years In Prison For Stealing $2.2 Million In COVID Relief Funds

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October 17, 2026

By Staff Reporter |

A federal court sentenced a Phoenix man previously convicted of a felony to 10 years in prison for stealing nearly $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief funding.

Mohammed Maio, 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Between May 2020 and May 2024, Maio fraudulently obtained and misused loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) relief loans, claiming the relief funds for multiple businesses without employees.

Maio’s mother, Souzan El-Sayed, and father, Abukar Maio, were also convicted for participating in the COVID fraud scheme. The trio submitted 18 PPP and EIDL applications.

Maio’s mother was associated with Magna Detail, Global Connection Plus, GEGE LLC, Reign Transportation, AFGOYE LLC, and Arcadia Adult Home Care. Maio’s father was associated with Magna Detail, Arcadia Adult Home Care, AFGOYE LLC, and Reign Transportation.

Maio associated himself with the following businesses: Magna Detail, AZ Jumpstart, AZMBK, Apyulent, MMM Consulting, and Reign Transportation.

Court documents reflect that the Maio family used the fraudulently obtained funds to purchase properties.

Maio also arranged for his mother to purchase a firearm for him in 2021, since he was a convicted felon who couldn’t purchase it for himself.

Arizona Department of Corrections records reflect that Maio served two years in prison from June 2016 to August 2018 for drug and fraud violations, and served six months in 2006 for drug and attempted weapons misconduct violations. During his two prison stints, Maio received three major infractions for threats or intimidation, fighting, and unauthorized conduct.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said in the press release announcing Maio’s conviction that Maio exploited a system meant to provide relief to legitimate business owners during an unprecedented public health emergency.

“Maio’s actions resulted in significant financial loss to the U.S. government and exploited a program intended to provide relief to small businesses during a national crisis,” said Courchaine. “Fraud of this nature weakens the effectiveness of federal assistance programs and places an additional burden on taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of these crimes.”

Scott Brown, acting special agent in charge of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) CI Phoenix Field Office, said his agency is committed to finding each and every individual who defrauded the COVID-19 relief programs.

“While business owners and families were struggling during the COVID pandemic, Maio was scheming to defraud the government relief programs for personal gain,” said Brown. “This case demonstrates IRS CI’s ongoing commitment to pursuing individuals who abused these pandemic relief programs and ensuring they are held accountable.”

A.J. Gibes, special agent in charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division, pointed out that Maio decided to take violent measures to continue his fraud scheme.

“This significant sentence is part of a multi-agency effort to hold those who took advantage of COVID-era programs accountable,” said Gibes. “Not only did Mr. Maio commit fraud against the United States government, he illegally armed himself to protect his multi-million-dollar scheme. We are proud to work with our IRS partners to bring those who would defraud the American people to justice.”