Burbank Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling $1.8 Million in Money and Property Left to Elderly Victim

SANTA ANA, California - A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for embezzling approximately $1.8 million from an estate left to an elderly victim by the victim's late brother.

Jamal Nathan Dawood, 55, a.k.a. "Jimmy Dawood," of Burbank, was sentenced by United States District Judge James V. Selna, who also ordered him to pay $1,862,352 in restitution and fined him $30,000.

At the conclusion of a seven-day trial in July 2025, a jury found Dawood guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering.

During the second half of 2019, Dawood offered to assist the victim with the management of real estate properties and retirement savings that the victim had inherited from the victim's deceased brother. Specifically, Dawood helped the victim open a trust account at a bank for the purpose of managing the retirement savings.

Without the victim's knowledge or authorization, Dawood then initiated wire and online banking transfers from the victim's trust account to Dawood-controlled accounts. Without the victim's knowledge or permission, Dawood also wired money from the victim's trust account to people with whom Dawood had personal and business relationships.

Dawood convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and his late brother's real estate holdings to various companies. Dawood falsely represented that the victim would retain an ownership interest in his residence and the inherited real estate through these companies. In fact, Dawood and other individuals close to him controlled these companies.

In total, Dawood fraudulently obtained at least $1,862,352 in the victim's money and property. The illicitly obtained funds were used to purchase real estate in La Crescenta and Fontana.

The FBI investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin N. Spencer and Melissa S. Rabbani of the Orange County Office prosecuted this case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis.

Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

Information about the Department of Justice's Elder Fraud Initiative is available at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.