A 76-year-old widow is embroiled in a legal battle, accusing a former acquaintance of deceit and financial exploitation. Mahin Shahabi filed a complaint against Kasem Dada on December 12, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The lawsuit alleges that Dada manipulated Shahabi into lending him $140,000 under false pretenses, promising repayment which never materialized.
The case traces back to September 5, 2024, when Dada contacted Shahabi after nearly two decades of silence. He claimed he was in dire need of financial assistance due to ongoing divorce proceedings and potential legal fees totaling over $2 million. According to the complaint, Dada assured Shahabi that he would repay her within days with an additional $10,000 as a token of gratitude. Trusting his word, Shahabi issued a cashier's check for $90,000. However, as days turned into weeks without repayment or further communication from Dada, Shahabi grew concerned.
On September 13, 2024, Dada reached out again with another plea for help. He requested an additional $375,000 but settled for $50,000 after Shahabi explained her limited capacity to lend more. Once again relying on his promise of swift repayment bolstered by expected funds from another source, she provided the money. Yet again, the promised repayment did not occur.
As time passed and excuses mounted from Dada regarding delays in fund clearance and payment promises unfulfilled, Shahabi took matters into her own hands by depositing a personal check from Dada for $140,000 on November 20th. The check bounced due to insufficient funds—a devastating blow considering this sum represented her life savings earmarked for essential living expenses and medical needs.
Shahabi's complaint accuses Dada of multiple counts including breach of oral contract and various forms of fraud—intentional misrepresentation and promise without intent to perform among them—as well as elder financial abuse under California’s Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15610.30. She asserts that Dada’s actions were calculated to exploit her trust and vulnerability as an elderly individual living alone.
In addition to seeking recovery of the principal loan amount plus interest and damages tripling this figure under Civil Code Section 1719 (pertaining to bad checks), Shahabi requests punitive damages reflecting what she describes as “despicable conduct” by Dada designed solely for personal gain at her expense.
Represented by Farbood Majd Esq., Mahin Shahabi hopes for justice through compensatory measures alongside attorney fees should she prevail against defendant Kasem Dada who has yet to respond publicly regarding these allegations or present any defense within court records thus far reviewed by Judge Y Chavez under Case ID: 24CV453846.