United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on May 19 that three former senior employees of Telekom Malaysia (USA) Inc. have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that Mohd Hafiz Lockman, Mohd Yuzaimi Yusof, and Khanh Thuong Nguyen diverted more than $20 million in company funds through a series of fraudulent schemes. Lockman was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on April 20, while Nguyen and Yusof surrendered to authorities on April 22 and 23. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho.
The charges follow a self-report by Telekom Malaysia Berhad to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in early April regarding the alleged misconduct by its American subsidiary’s managers. According to the announcement, the company has been cooperating with ongoing investigations.
“Today’s fraud charges come within weeks of receiving a self-report from the company,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As alleged, Mohd Hafiz Lockman, Mohd Yuzaimi Yusof, and Khanh Thuong Nguyen perpetrated a sprawling fraud to steal over $20 million. The defendants deceived counterparties, suppliers, auditors, and their own supervisors. As a result of the fact that the conduct was reported to this Office and quickly investigated, the defendants will now be held to account for fraudulently lining their own pockets.”
“These three individuals are alleged to have conducted a deliberate and calculated embezzlement scheme, falsifying corporate records for their own financial benefit,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr.. “These charges highlight the FBI’s commitment to aggressively investigating and identifying fraud schemes that exploit the corporate system.”
According to court documents unsealed in Manhattan federal court as well as other public records of proceedings: From July 2020 through February 2026 while serving as senior managers at Telekom Malaysia (USA) Inc., Lockman, Yusof and Nguyen allegedly engaged in four interconnected fraudulent activities involving unauthorized sales of broadband capacity; impersonation of suppliers; misappropriation of employee salaries; and seeking reimbursement for fabricated expenses.
Telekom Malaysia initiated an internal investigation upon discovering these actions before reporting them voluntarily to authorities—a move which resulted in conditional declination of charges against it based on full cooperation requirements including restitution efforts.
Lockman (48), Yusof (44), both from California cities Dublin and Livermore respectively—and Nguyen (48) from Manassas Virginia—are each charged with offenses carrying maximum sentences up to twenty years plus mandatory additional penalties if convicted.
Mr. Clayton praised “the outstanding work” done by federal investigators during this case handled jointly by specialized units within his office.
The indictment contains only accusations; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
