News Summary

A 64-year-old man from Corona, Southern California, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and tax evasion, admitting to swindling businesses and the IRS out of millions over a decade. Frank Seung Noah, who operated a logistics firm, manipulated customs paperwork to pocket millions and evade federal taxes, potentially facing up to 25 years in prison at sentencing. This case underscores the severe consequences of greed and deceit.

Corona Man Admits to $5 Million Fraud and $2.4 Million Tax Evasion

In a tale that sounds like something out of a crime thriller, a 64-year-old man from Corona, Southern California has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and tax evasion that could land him behind bars for a long time. Frank Seung Noah, who ran a logistics and supply-chain company called Comis International Inc., managed to swindle businesses and the government out of millions of dollars over more than a decade.

The Schemes Unraveled

From the years 2007 to 2019, Noah primarily acted as a customs broker for Daiso, a popular discount retail chain from Japan. In a shocking twist, he used fraudulent paperwork to cheat his client out of nearly $3.4 million. He did this by providing Daiso with false customs duty forms and invoices, which allowed him to collect exaggerated reimbursements for duty fees. As clients like Daiso overpaid due to these deceptive practices, Noah was laughing all the way to the bank.

But it didn’t stop there. After his first indictment in 2022 for defrauding Daiso, he simply switched gears and started to scam other companies with a different strategy. Noah pocketed money that was supposed to be used for customs fees from two separate clients, all while giving them fake bank statements to make it look like he had already paid. Unfortunately, reality caught up when the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notified these companies about their outstanding tax responsibilities.

A Dangerous Game with the IRS

As if scamming clients wasn’t enough, Noah was also playing a dangerous game with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He managed to evade over $2.4 million in federal taxes, all while racking up penalties and interest. Back in 2014, he had reached an agreement with the IRS admitting he owed over $1 million in taxes, but instead of cooperating, he went on the run from their collection efforts.

Using bizarre tactics to dodge his tax responsibilities, he even paid for two homes under his ex-girlfriend’s name. On top of that, he frequently used check cashing businesses to sidestep IRS levies. Under the radar, he was living lavishly, spending significant amounts on luxury items, including country club memberships and extravagant trips.

The Consequences

After a thorough investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security, Noah now faces serious consequences for his actions. He pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and two counts of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing is slated for May 8, where he could face up to 20 years in prison for each fraud count and up to five years for tax evasion.

This case serves as a chilling reminder that greed can lead to life-altering consequences. With Noah now caught in a web of his own deceit, the scales of justice will soon weigh heavily on him, signaling that there’s no easy way to escape accountability.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds. Will Noah’s scheme come crashing down under the weight of the law? Only time will tell.