Customs Broker Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Tax Evasion

News Summary

Frank Seung Noah, a customs broker in Corona, California, has pleaded guilty to defrauding clients of over $5 million and evading more than $1 million in federal taxes. His company, Comis International Inc., provided false duty forms and invoices to clients, causing significant financial loss. Noah now faces potential prison terms following his guilty plea. This case highlights the critical importance of ethics in trade and finance.

Corona, Southern California: A Customs Broker’s Tale of Fraud and Evaded Taxes

In a shocking turn of events, Frank Seung Noah, a 64-year-old customs broker based in Corona, California, has pleaded guilty to some serious crimes that have put him in the hot seat. On February 7, 2025, he admitted to defrauding clients of over $5 million and dodging more than $1 million in federal taxes. This case has raised eyebrows and left many wondering how someone in a trusted role could get away with such actions for so long.

The Background of the Scheme

Noah was the owner of Comis International Inc., a logistics and supply-chain company operating out of Cerritos, California. From 2007 to 2019, his company served as a customs import broker for Daiso, a popular discount chain originating from Japan. It’s hard to believe that a business specializing in aiding imports could get mixed up in fraudulent activities, but that’s exactly what happened.

As part of his wrongdoing, Noah provided Daiso with false customs duty forms and invoices, allowing him to collect reimbursements for duty fees that were inflated and, in many cases, completely fabricated. This deceit cost Daiso approximately $3.4 million in overpayments.

The Criminal Indictment

In 2022, Noah found himself facing serious trouble as he was indicted for defrauding Daiso. Instead of cleaning up his act, he chose to expand his illicit activities and managed to scam other clients out of an additional $2 million using a different scheme. This time, he pocketed money that was supposed to be used for customs fees from two different companies instead of actually paying those fees. He went so far as to send these companies false bank statements indicating that they had been paid, allowing him to continue his deception.

IRS Trouble

As if this wasn’t enough, Noah didn’t stop there. He also managed to run up quite a tax bill with the IRS, leading to a whopping $2.4 million loss for the federal government in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. After reaching an agreement with the IRS in 2014 acknowledging he owed over $1 million in taxes, Noah actively evaded attempts by the IRS to collect. His tactics included buying homes under his ex-girlfriend’s name and utilizing check cashing businesses to bypass IRS levies.

Even more alarming was his habit of lying to IRS agents while indulging in a lavish lifestyle that included luxurious items, country club memberships, and extravagant travel. This behavior paints a vivid picture of someone who was living well above their means—although it was all funded through dishonest practices.

The Guilty Plea and Consequences

As the legal process unfolded, Noah ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and two counts of wire fraud. His guilty plea leaves him facing up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud along with a possible five-year sentence for tax evasion. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 8, and many are waiting to see what the final outcome will be.

Investigation and Future Implications

This high-profile case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Noah’s story serves as a cautionary tale about trust, fraud, and the consequences of trying to cheat the system.

As this saga unfolds, it leaves the business community contemplating the importance of ethics in trade and finance. How many others are out there in trustworthy positions taking shortcuts for personal gain? Only time will tell, but for Frank Seung Noah, the road ahead appears to be rocky.

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