A Gaithersburg man has been convicted on fraud charges for swapping counterfeit computer products for real equipment.
A jury in federal court in Richmond convicted 39-year-old Iheanyi F. Chinasa of mail fraud, obstruction and related offenses.
Prosecutors said Chinasa and co-conspirator Robert K. Chambliss, 31, of Henrico, manufactured fake computer and telecommunications equipment. They would then contact Cisco Systems and say a product was defective. Cisco would issue replacement parts, and the pair would send counterfeit products back to Cisco to satisfy the company’s return policy.
The scheme defrauded Cisco of more than $27 million, according to prosecutors.
Chinasa faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced May 5.
Chambliss has pleaded guilty to the charges.
