This week reveals shocking news: Two men posed as federal agents and gave valuable gifts to US Secret Service members. The relevant authorities have taken the two fake federal agents into custody while prosecutors charged them. Simply put, FBI agents entered a luxury apartment building in Southeast Washington and apprehended Arian Taherzadeh (40) and Haider Ali (36).
Prosecutors allege that the two individuals had falsely claimed to be employees of the Department of Homeland Security. In fact, the fake federal agents maintained to work on a special task force that investigated gangs and violence associated with the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
Posing as law enforcement officers, Ali and Taherzadeh tried to integrate with actual federal agents. They did so by providing Secret Service members rent-free apartments, which included a penthouse worth USD40,000 per year. Additionally, the many presents they handed to the Secret Service staff comprise:
- Surveillance systems
- iPhones
- Flat-screen TVs
- Drones
- Generators
- Gun cases
But also, the fake federal agents offered them a black GMC SUV, although the authorities classify it as an “official government vehicle.” Among the many accusations stands the one that Taherzadeh offered to buy a USD2,000 assault rifle for an agent assigned to protect the first lady.
How Did the Fake Federal Agents Get Caught?
It seems utterly puzzling how the two men collected so much equipment, tools, and information in the first place. But to leave that question aside, how did the authorities expose their fraudulent behavior?
The US Postal Inspection Services uncovered the whole ordeal while investigating an assault that involved a mail carrier at the said apartment building. When approached, Taherzadeh and Ali identified themselves as members of a bogus Homeland Security division. They dubbed it “the US Special Police Investigation Unit.”
Allegedly, they had also mounted surveillance cameras and told residents that they could access their cellphones. Likewise, the tenants informed the investigators that they thought the men could access their personal information.
As things currently stand, Taherzadeh and Ali have evidence piling up against them as we speak. However, it is not yet clear if they had lawyers who would comment on the allegations.
Due to the secrecy surrounding the investigation, it is unlikely that the public will soon find any detailed, reliable information regarding this case.
But the most intriguing questions of all seem to be:
- What were they aiming to accomplish by pretending to be federal agents?
- And what was the purpose of giving so many gifts to members of the US Secret Service?
What do you think, EP Wired reader?