A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has officially charged Faheem Akram, a 33-year-old Pakistani citizen, with allegedly running an illegal website that reportedly sold over five million counterfeit postal labels.
The website allegedly resulted in losses exceeding $126 million for the United States Postal Service (USPS), according to a statement released by the Department of Justice on Monday.
The Scheme: Simple, Cost-effective, and Extensive
The indictment claims that Akram, originally from Khanewal, Pakistan, was operating labelsBank.com, an unauthorized platform offering shipping labels at a fixed rate of about two dollars per label, regardless of the package's weight, size, or destination.
Authorities indicated that these labels featured barcodes, tracking numbers, and sender and recipient details, making them appear legitimate. This allegedly allowed packages to enter the postal system without the USPS receiving the proper payment.
According to the charges, over 5,200 individuals used the site to purchase these labels, resulting in the sale of more than 5.1 million units.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones explained the operation in the official statement.
"The alleged scheme was straightforward yet massive: selling counterfeit postal labels online at fixed, reduced prices, starting at just two dollars per label, regardless of the package's weight, size, or destination, enabling customers to evade legitimate Postal Service charges," he stated.
The Impact: Beyond the USPS
Authorities argue that the alleged fraud not only harmed the Postal Service but also affected the buyers of these labels.
Quiñones also warned of the risks associated with purchasing fake labels, as they may not work correctly, leading to financial loss or issues with package deliveries.
Investigation and Website Shutdown
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, led the investigation.
In coordination with the formal charges, authorities secured a court order to seize the domain and shut down the website.
Bladismir Rojo, the inspector in charge of the Miami Division of USPIS, noted in the official release, "Our reach extends beyond our borders. Transnational criminal organizations defrauding the Postal Service and targeting U.S. consumers by promoting fake postage will be tracked down and brought to justice."
Charges and Potential Penalties
Akram faces 10 federal charges: one for conspiracy to defraud the United States and manufacture and sell counterfeit postage stamps, five for manufacturing and selling fake labels, and four for wire fraud.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy and counterfeit label charges and up to 20 years for each of the four wire fraud charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jon Juenger and Jacqueline DerOvanesian are prosecuting the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is managing asset forfeiture.
The case is filed under number 26-cr-60249 in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The indictment is merely an allegation. Akram is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Growing Concern for Postal Fraud
Between October 2024 and September 2025, the USPIS seized $16.2 million in counterfeit stamps and issued 358 voluntary cease orders as part of a broader crackdown on this type of fraud.
A similar precedent occurred in California, where Lijuan “Angela” Chen pled guilty to a comparable scheme that resulted in over $150 million in losses to the USPS with more than 34 million packages sent between 2020 and 2023. She was later sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison.
Authorities caution against the purchase or knowing use of counterfeit postal labels. Mail with fake postage may be considered abandoned by the USPS, resulting in the loss of both the package and the money paid.
Understanding USPS Fraud and Its Implications
What is the alleged scheme Faheem Akram is being charged with?
Faheem Akram is accused of operating an illegal website that sold over five million counterfeit postal labels, resulting in significant losses for the USPS.
How did the scheme impact the USPS and its customers?
The scheme not only defrauded the USPS of legitimate postage fees but also risked financial losses for customers who purchased the counterfeit labels.
What are the potential penalties Faheem Akram faces if convicted?
If found guilty, Faheem Akram could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy and counterfeit label charges, and up to 20 years for each of the four wire fraud charges.