United States v. Ali

OPINION

N.R. SMITH, Circuit Judge:

This case arises from a scheme whereby Mirza Ali, Sameena Ali, and Keith Griffen (collectively “Defendants”) purchased Microsoft software at discounted prices then resold the software for a profit. The case calls upon us to interpret and apply the mail and wire fraud statutes, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343. Significantly, we hold Defendants were properly convicted of mail and wire fraud, because (1) a right to payment of money for the sale of software is “money or property” as defined in 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343, and (2) neither statute requires a transfer…