Abdullah Bey v. Naidu et al

Filing 47

OPINION AND ORDER DIRECTING the Clerk to enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff Qadriyyah Sabreen El' Amin Bnt Abdullah Bey and against Defendant Mathews in the amount of $104,892.00. The Clerk is further DIRECTED to close this case. Signed by Judge Steven D. Grimberg on 9/26/2024. (tas)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
QADRIYYAH SABREEN EL’ AMIN BNT
ABDULLAH BEY,
Plaintiff,

Civil Action No.
1:21-cv-00832-SDG

v.

LILY MATHEWS,
Defendant.
OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on the damages portion of Plaintiff
Qadriyyah Sabreen El’ Amin Bnt Abdullah Bey’s motion for default judgment. The
Court previously entered a default judgment against Lily Mathews [ECF 29],
finding her liable for fraud and civil theft (labeled as larceny by trick). The Court
then ordered Abdullah Bey to submit evidence demonstrating the amount of
damages she seeks from Mathews, which Bey submitted thereafter [ECF 31-1].
After reviewing the evidence, the Court awards Bey $104,892.00 in damages.
Abdullah Bey, appearing pro se and proceeding in forma pauperis, initiated
this action against Navin Chandra Naidu, Mathews, and Kinta Valley Knowledge
Village, for defrauding her, and countless others, by claiming to be able to
monetize birth and death certificates. Abdullah Bey alleges she paid Defendants
to invest in a private placement program (PPP) for the birth and death certificates,
for establishment of a foreign trust, and for a tribal membership. To that end, she

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wired money intended for the PPP directly to Mathews as the “accounts person”
for the program at Naidu’s instruction, and attests that Mathews conspired with
Naidu to perpetuate the fraudulent PPP scheme.
Though the allegations related to liability are deemed admitted for purposes
of default judgment, a defendant in default does not admit allegations relating to
the amount of damages. Frazier v. Absolute Collection Serv., Inc., 767 F. Supp. 2d
1354, 1365 (N.D. Ga. 2011). If a plaintiff seeking a default judgment requests an
“uncertain or speculative damage amount, a court has an obligation to assure there
is a legitimate basis for any damage award it enters.” Anheuser Busch, Inc. v. Philpot,
317 F.3d 1264, 1266 (11th Cir. 2003). “Damages may be awarded only if the record
adequately reflects the basis for award via ‘a hearing or a demonstration by
detailed affidavits establishing the necessary facts.’” Adolph Coors Co. v. Movement
Against Racism & the Klan, 777 F.2d 1538, 1544 (11th Cir. 1985). Because the Court
had insufficient evidence to determine the damages owed to Abdullah Bey at the
time it granted the default judgment, the Court directed Abdullah Bey to submit
evidence demonstrating the amount she claims she is owed. 1
Abdullah Bey submitted numerous documents as evidence of her damages. 2
She provided the Court with ten separate wire transfer receipts, some sent directly

1

ECF 29.

2

ECF 31-1.
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to Mathews and all in connection with the fraudulent scheme in which Mathews
was participating. According to those receipts, Abdullah Bey transferred the
following amounts 3:
• June 9, 2017— $5825;
• June 28, 2017—$7,175;
• July 18, 2017— $4,830;
• July 28, 2017—$1,600 and $1,630;
• September 13, 2017—$500;
• October 16, 2017—$25,110;
• November 6, 2017—$26,560 and $2,500; and
• December 21, 2017—$29,060.
Each wire transfer is connected to Kinta Valley Knowledge Village, the main
fraudulent entity. Abdullah Bey also submitted a receipt from the Kings County
Sheriff’s Office for $102, which demonstrates the cost of service for the summons
and complaint on Mathews. 4 Finally, she submitted a sworn affidavit attesting to
her losses. 5

3

ECF 31-1, Exh. A.

4

Id.

5

ECF 31-1.
3

Abdullah Bey is entitled to $104,892.00 in damages from Matthews on her
claims for fraud and civil theft. The record demonstrates that Abdullah Bey was
defrauded out of this amount and that Mathews was a critical part of the
fraudulent scheme and is thus responsible for the entire amount. See Compulife
Software, Inc. v. Newman, 111 F.4th 1147, 1163 (11th Cir. 2024) (“Joint and several
liability’s whole purpose is to treat the defendants as equally responsible,
regardless of their fault.”).
The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff Qadriyyah
Sabreen El’ Amin Bnt Abdullah Bey and against Defendant Mathews in the
amount of $104,892.00. The Clerk is further DIRECTED to close this case.
SO ORDERED this 26th day of September, 2024.

Steven D. Grimberg
United States District Judge

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