The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the criminal convictions of three Pennsylvania brothers in a complex fraud scheme targeting major shipping companies and a financial institution. In a nonprecedential opinion issued January 20, 2026, Circuit Judge Chung, writing for a three-judge panel, rejected the appellate arguments raised by Zumar, Abdush, and Kariem DuBose in *United States v. Zumar DuBose*.

The case originated from charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under Judge Wendy Beetlestone. The three brothers faced multiple federal charges stemming from their alleged scheme to defraud the United States Postal Service, the United Parcel Service, and Citizens Bank.

According to court records, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on August 26, 2021, charging all three defendants with multiple federal crimes. The charges included mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, wire fraud and attempted wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1349, bank fraud and aiding and abetting bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344(2) and 2, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).

All three brothers entered not guilty pleas, setting the stage for a trial that would ultimately result in convictions for each defendant. The case proceeded through the federal court system with Abdush and Kariem DuBose represented by counsel throughout the proceedings, while court documents indicate that Zumar initially proceeded without legal representation.

The Third Circuit panel, composed of Circuit Judges Matey, Chung, and Ambro, heard oral arguments on January 13, 2026, under Third Circuit Local Appellate Rule 34.1(a), which governs the submission of cases. The court issued its decision just one week later, demonstrating the efficiency with which the appellate court handled the matter.

The appeals were consolidated under three separate case numbers: 23-3065 for Zumar DuBose, 23-3162 for Abdush DuBose, and 24-1328 for Kariem DuBose. This consolidation allowed the court to address all related arguments and issues arising from the same underlying criminal scheme in a single proceeding.

While the court's opinion is designated as nonprecedential under Internal Operating Procedure 5.7, meaning it does not establish binding precedent for future cases, the decision nevertheless represents an important affirmation of federal prosecutors' ability to successfully pursue complex fraud schemes involving multiple defendants and victims.

The case highlights the federal government's continued focus on prosecuting fraud schemes that target both government entities and private companies. The involvement of the U.S. Postal Service as a victim demonstrates how federal agencies remain attractive targets for fraudulent schemes, while the inclusion of UPS and Citizens Bank shows the cross-sector impact of such criminal enterprises.

The variety of charges in the case reflects the comprehensive approach federal prosecutors take when addressing complex fraud schemes. Mail fraud and wire fraud charges are commonly used tools in federal prosecutions, as they allow prosecutors to capture criminal conduct that crosses state lines or involves federal systems. The bank fraud charges suggest the scheme involved attempts to defraud financial institutions, while the money laundering conspiracy charge indicates the defendants allegedly took steps to conceal the proceeds of their criminal activity.

The appellate court's decision to affirm the convictions suggests that the trial court properly handled the case and that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the jury's verdict. While the specific arguments raised by the defendants on appeal are not detailed in the available portion of the opinion, the court's conclusion that the judgments should be affirmed indicates these arguments were unsuccessful.

This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences facing individuals who engage in fraud schemes targeting both government and private entities. The federal criminal justice system's ability to successfully prosecute and obtain convictions in complex multi-defendant cases demonstrates the effectiveness of current federal fraud statutes and enforcement mechanisms.

The timing of the appellate decision, coming in early 2026, reflects the ongoing work of federal courts in addressing fraud cases that emerged during the previous decade. As financial crimes continue to evolve with technology and changing business practices, federal prosecutors and courts remain actively engaged in pursuing accountability for those who engage in fraudulent schemes.