Wisconsin Woman Attempts Murder After Overseas Romance
Amy Betro, a 45-year-old woman from West Allis, Wisconsin, became entangled in a dramatic plot after meeting a British man named Mohammed Nazir through a dating app in September 2018. At the time, he was 31 and went by the nickname “Dr. Ice.”
On Christmas Day 2018, Betro traveled to London to meet Nazir, where they reportedly spent the night together. After returning to the U.S., their communication continued. Reports indicated that she returned to the UK in August 2019.
During a recent trial, when asked about Nazir, Betro described him as charming and sweet, admitting she had feelings for him.
Nazir and his father, 59-year-old Mohammed Aslam, were involved in a conflict with Birmingham businessman Asurat Mahmad. The situation escalated during a fight in a clothing store in July 2018, leading to injuries for both Nazir and Aslam.
It appears they concocted a plan involving Betro to confront Mahmad. On September 7, 2019, she reached out to Mahmad about purchasing a car he was selling online. Prosecutor Tom Walkling recounted that Mahmad was confused by the call from a woman with an American accent who insisted on buying the car that same day, even though Mahmad suggested they meet the following day instead.
After the plan to lure Mahmad failed, Betro bought a Mercedes E240 from another seller. Walkling noted that the seller described Betro as a “short fat woman” in a summer dress, which is quite specific. On the night of September 7, 2019, Betro drove the Mercedes to Mahmad’s family home.
While waiting with a gun, Betro’s target was Mahmad’s son, Sikandar Ali, who returned home around 9:10 PM. Surveillance footage captured a person with a covered face approaching Ali and attempting to shoot him, but the gun misfired, allowing Ali to escape in his SUV.
As Ali fled, Betro’s vehicle was reportedly damaged, and she later abandoned the Mercedes, leaving it with gloves that contained her DNA. Evidence showed she sent a message to Mahmad after the attempted murder, taunting him with a quote about hiding.
A few hours later, she returned to Mahmad’s home, and CCTV footage recorded gunfire coming from the house early the next morning, although no one was injured.
Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orenkas stated that although Betro attempted to disguise herself, it wasn’t very effective. He expressed doubts about her thought process, suggesting that perhaps she was “fatally flawed” in her execution of the plan and motivation fueled by obsession for Nazir.
After the incident, Betro traveled back to the U.S. but later fled to Armenia. Unbeknownst to her, someone discovered her location and relayed it to the West Midlands police in June 2024, leading to her arrest and subsequent extradition to the UK.
In a courtroom decision on Tuesday, Betro was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear, and unlawful importation of ammunition.
Betro is set to be sentenced on Thursday. Nazir and Aslam, arrested previously, were also convicted of conspiracy to murder, with Nazir receiving a 32-year sentence and Aslam getting 10 years. Walkling mentioned that revenge seemed to be a significant motivating factor behind the assassination attempt.
