Massive PPP Fraud Scheme Busted In Suburban Detroit. Defendants Plead Guilty.

Three suburban Detroit residents have pleaded guilty to conspiring to execute a massive PPP fraud scheme.

Rita Shaba and Samer Kammo pleaded guilty last week to conspiring to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Christina Anasi previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy.

The court file says the defendants filed fraudulent PPP applications for several business entities. The applications misrepresented payroll information for the business entities. They also falsely certified that PPP loan funds would be used for permissible business-related purposes. In addition, the defendants also caused fictitious payroll, health insurance, bank, and tax records to be submitted with the applications.

Court records also the defendants received over $3 million in fraudulent PPP loan funds. Law enforcement has seized and recovered over $2.1 million of those funds.

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide assistance to businesses harmed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

FBI Detroit Field Office Special Agent Reuben Coleman: 

“Today’s guilty plea reaffirms that those who exploit government programs intended to assist the American people during a national crisis, will be held fully accountable under federal law. Rita Shaba stole from hardworking taxpaying citizens and struggling businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, essentially eroding the trust placed in critical relief efforts designed by the U.S. Government. I want to thank our FBI Macomb County Resident Agency, and our law enforcement partners for their diligent work to ensure that bad actors face the full consequences of their criminal actions.”

ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey said:

 “By now the writing is on the wall that if you stole money during the pandemic, it’s only a matter of time before law enforcement is knocking at your door.”

Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey will sentence Shaba  on January 5, 2026. He will also be sentencing Anasi  on January 7, 2026. Additionally Judge Grey will be sentencing Kammo on January 15, 2026. The defendants each face a maximum sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.  

Read More About PPP Loan Fraudsters On MFI-Miami.com.