A Scots businessman who was on the FBI’s most wanted list after going on the run for five years has admitted carrying out a £420,000 luxury car scam.
Afzal Khan fled the US after being accused of conning a string of customers and financial firms at a motor dealership he ran in New Jersey.
The 38-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, handed himself into authorities in the United Arab Emirates in February and was flown back to America.
He has been held in custody since then and has admitted a massive fraud involving supercars including Lamborghinis and Porsches.
Khan faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in December.
In a statement, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey said: “An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man admitted his role in engaging in a pattern of fraudulent activity through his auto dealership.
“Afzal Khan, aka ‘Bobby Khan’, 38, of Egg Harbour Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by video conference before US District Judge William J. Martini to Count One of an indictment charging him with wire fraud.
“Khan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offence.”
Khan opened the Emporio Motor Group in New Jersey in 2013 and had a high profile. He appeared on US reality series The Real Housewives of New Jersey and some members of the show’s cast were his clients.
The US District Court of New Jersey heard he obtained loans from a bank for cars that he never delivered but for which the purchaser was still responsible.
He also received loans for cars that were delivered but for which neither he nor Emporio had title documents.
As a result, the buyers of these cars were liable for the loan but could not register the vehicles.
Khan also offered to sell cars for customers and then neither returned them nor provided any money from sales.
He admitted that, as a result of his actions, he exposed the bank involved to a potential loss of at least £420,000. The offences took place between December 2013 and September 2014.
Khan appeared on US TV in November to say he wanted to surrender but claimed his offers were ignored by prosecutors.
In a video interview with Fox News, Khan said he had been hiding in a country which has no extradition treaty with the US.
He said: “What more do I have to do? I’m practically begging you. I’m a fugitive from justice saying, ‘Arrest me’.
“I’m not pleading guilt, I’m not pleading innocence. The point is, I need to get my wife and kids home so I can stand trial.”
Khan, who was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted “white collar criminals” list, moved to America more than 20 years ago.
