Mohammed Islam Comes Clean About His Recent $72 Million Stock Market Claim To New York Mag.

Mohammed Islam, boy genius or scam artist? Islam, who recently became a viral news story after his claim that he made $72 million in the stock market, might not exactly have been honest in his original statements. In fact, according to the New York Observer, the 17 year-old high school student Mohammed Islam actually flat out lied. The Inquisitr also reported on Mohammed Islam, the alleged “boy genius.”

In an interview conducted by the New York Observer, Mohammed Islam and his partner in crime explained that there was no eight figures or any figures made by the high school member of the “Leaders Investment Club.” E Online reported that he pulled off the hoax with a falsified chase bank statement.

Islam was the star of New York Magazine’s “Reasons to love New York” article. At this time, the article post still exists online. However, an “editors note” has been tacked on to the false story, and they did issue an apology. In the note, an editor explains that they reported on a “rumored” figure.

“A source close to the Islam family told the Washington Post that the statements were falsified. We were duped. Our fact-checking process was obviously inadequate; we take full responsibility and we should have known better. New York apologizes to our readers.”

Mohammed explained that his friend’s father, who worked for New York Magazine, got the ball rolling when he spoke to and had a reporter contact Islam. He alleges that he had nothing to do with the now infamous $72 million figure, but has not placed blame as to whom came up with the purported number. His only reputation, beyond his falsely stated one, was running an investment club at his high school that deals with “simulated” numbers.

After being pressed further, Islam stated that he led the reporter to believe he made more than $72 million. At the close of Mohammed Islam’s interview with the New York Observer, not the CNBC interview they had to cancel after coming clean, he and his partner made their apologies.

Damir Tulemaganbetov, Islam’s accomplice made his apology first.

“Socially, people will be mad about it. But we’re sorry. Especially to our parents. Like my dad would read this and be like, “Oh my God,” because he’s a very humble man and I portrayed him like a bad father.”

Following Tulemaganbetov’s apology, Mohammed Islam made his.

“At school, first things first. I am incredibly sorry for any misjudgment and any hurt I caused. The people I’m most sorry for is my parents. I did something where I can no longer gain their trust. I have one sister, two years younger, and we don’t really talk.”

His parents were reportedly not too happy about his recent scam. He expressed in the interview that his father “wanted to disown him,” and his mother said she “would never talk to” him. At this time, he stated that they have not spoken to him since.

[Image via Business Insider/Damir Tulemaganbetov Instagram]