Two brothers from Ohio have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being convicted in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme in which they impersonated wealthy Middle Eastern royals to deceive investors and businesses.

The defendants, Zubair Al Zubair and Muzzammil Al Zubair, were found guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated scam that ran for several years and defrauded victims of approximately $21 million. Prosecutors said the pair built an elaborate false identity, claiming connections to royalty in the United Arab Emirates and presenting themselves as influential financiers.

A U.S. federal court handed down sentences of more than two decades in prison for each brother, reflecting the scale and complexity of the fraud. Authorities said the scheme involved convincing victims to invest in bogus ventures, including a fake cryptocurrency project that accounted for a significant portion of the losses.

According to court filings, the brothers used their fabricated status to gain credibility and trust, targeting both individual and institutional investors. In one instance, a foreign investor reportedly lost millions of dollars after being persuaded to fund a non-existent business deal.

Investigators also revealed that the suspects used proceeds from the fraud to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including luxury travel, high-end vehicles, and expensive designer goods, all aimed at reinforcing their false image of wealth and influence.

An accomplice, Michael Smedley, was also sentenced to prison for his role in facilitating the operation. Prosecutors said he exploited his position and provided official resources that helped lend legitimacy to the scheme.

During sentencing, the presiding judge condemned the defendants’ actions, noting the extensive financial harm caused to victims and the deliberate effort to manipulate trust through deception.

Authorities say the case underscores the growing sophistication of financial fraud schemes and serves as a warning to investors to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming extraordinary wealth or exclusive connections.

The convictions mark the conclusion of a high-profile investigation and reinforce the U.S. justice system’s stance against large-scale financial crimes.