San Diego, CA – In a brazen nationwide card fraud and money laundering scheme, three men were sentenced in federal court today, with Davit Simonyan, a San Diego resident, receiving the longest sentence.
On April 20, 2022, Davit Simonyan was sentenced to 46 months in prison, as well as forfeiture of $642,347.16 and restitution of $116,408.00. His brother, Vahram Simonyan, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, forfeiture of $642,053.31, and identical restitution. Arsen Galstyan was sentenced to 18 months in prison and $47,796.00 in forfeiture and an identical restitution award.
The scheme, which lasted from 2017 to 2020, involved the use of skimming devices installed in common points of sale such as gas pumps and ATMs to steal unwitting victims’ credit and debit card information. The stolen information was then used to make unauthorized cards, which were used to buy postal money orders and make withdrawals from victims’ accounts.
The conspiracy victimized consumers in New York, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and across Southern California, including in San Diego. The defendants’ scheme inflicted both real and attempted losses of at least $1.2 million, according to their plea agreements.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pilchak led the prosecution of the case, which was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California emphasized that identity thieves who steal from unwitting victims in the community will be brought to justice.
Defendant: Davit Simonyan
Crime: Card Fraud, Money Laundering
State: California
Date: April 20, 2022
Sentence: 46 months in prison, forfeiture of $642,347.16, restitution of $116,408.00
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- Ricky Ellis Lamb, Check Forgery, Nebraska 2024 · Oklahoma
- Lakisha Williams, Credit Card Fraud, New Orleans LA, 2022 · New York
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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