DEARBORN — Attorney General Bill Schuette on Tuesday announced the filing of charges by his criminal division against three Southeast Michigan individuals for their alleged role in an extensive sports betting ring.  Schuette charged Ray Arfan, 42, of Dearborn, Michigan, for allegedly orchestrating the sports betting operation. Also charged were Nesti Konini, 48, of Dearborn, and Ali Samir Hamoud, 31, of  Dearborn.

The Fraser Police Department investigation revealed that Ray Arfan allegedly ran a large sports betting operation for more than three years in Dearborn through his business, the Avenue Bar, 13277 Michigan Avenue, and a Subway Restaurant, 12841 Michigan Avenue, both located in Dearborn.  

Arfan accepted wagers on sporting events and the operation provided gamblers with accounts to use on an internet website.  When a player needed to add money to an account or receive payment he would do so at one of Arfan’s businesses.  The operation is alleged to have involved dozens of bettors from Metro Detroit.

The other defendants charged by Schuette are alleged to have assisted Arfan in the extensive gambling ring. Nesti Konini allegedly collected and distributed payments while Ali Samir Hamoud allegedly helped to recruit new clients.

Schuette has issued freeze warrants on more than $250,000 of the defendant’s assets and bank accounts including $50,000 in cash confiscated from Arfan’s home.  On March 14, 2014, Schuette filed the following charges against the three defendants in Fraser’s 39th District Court:

• One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $100,000; 

• One count of Conspiring to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $100,000;

• One count of Conducting a Gambling Operation, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or $100,000; 

• One count of Conspiring to Violation Gambling Laws, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $10,000;

• Once count of Filing a False Tax Return, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 fine; and,

• Three counts of Taking Bets, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or $1,000.

• One count of Conspiring to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $100,000; 

• One count of Conspiring to Violation Gambling Laws, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $10,000; and,

• Three counts of taking bets, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or $1,000.

• One count of Conspiring to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $100,000.

Arfan, Konini, and Hamoud were expected to surrender to authorities and be arraigned Tuesday in Fraser’s 39th District Court.  They will be scheduled for a preliminary exam following their arraignment.