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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Onur Simsek, a Turkish national currently at large and believed to be residing in Türkiye. Simsek is accused of orchestrating a complex scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense by funneling foreign-made military components into the American supply chain while disguising them as domestically manufactured parts. He has been added to the FBI's newly established Most Wanted Fraudsters list, highlighting the severity of the alleged financial and national security crimes.
According to federal authorities, Simsek and unnamed co-conspirators operated a Central Florida company as a front between April 2019 and February 2022. During this period, the company won contracts to supply critical military components to the Pentagon. Investigators allege that the parts were actually produced in Türkiye, shipped to the United States, and repackaged to falsely appear as though they met American production requirements and specifications. Notably, the scheme continued despite Simsek having been barred from doing business with the U.S. government since 2018.
A federal arrest warrant for Simsek was issued on October 25, 2023, by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He faces eight federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, wire fraud, money laundering, and violations of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Arms Export Control Act. These statutes regulate the export of sensitive defense articles and technology.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized the national security implications of the case. FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Crawford stated that the alleged deception could have seriously compromised national security. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe noted that Simsek deliberately misrepresented facts for personal gain at the expense of taxpayers. Additionally, Nakia M. Alexander of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General warned that submitting false certifications is a direct threat to service members. The case is being investigated by the FBI Tampa Division, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General. Individuals with information regarding Simsek's location are urged to contact local FBI field offices.
According to federal authorities, Simsek and unnamed co-conspirators operated a Central Florida company as a front between April 2019 and February 2022. During this period, the company won contracts to supply critical military components to the Pentagon. Investigators allege that the parts were actually produced in Türkiye, shipped to the United States, and repackaged to falsely appear as though they met American production requirements and specifications. Notably, the scheme continued despite Simsek having been barred from doing business with the U.S. government since 2018.
A federal arrest warrant for Simsek was issued on October 25, 2023, by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He faces eight federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, wire fraud, money laundering, and violations of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Arms Export Control Act. These statutes regulate the export of sensitive defense articles and technology.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized the national security implications of the case. FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Crawford stated that the alleged deception could have seriously compromised national security. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe noted that Simsek deliberately misrepresented facts for personal gain at the expense of taxpayers. Additionally, Nakia M. Alexander of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General warned that submitting false certifications is a direct threat to service members. The case is being investigated by the FBI Tampa Division, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General. Individuals with information regarding Simsek's location are urged to contact local FBI field offices.
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