SACRAMENTO, CA – A Sacramento man is headed to federal prison after a clumsy attempt to cash in on stolen funds with a nearly $150,000 purchase of gold coins. Garik Voskanyan, 34, was sentenced to 15 months behind bars today after pleading guilty to bank fraud, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
The scheme, hatched in May 2013, involved Voskanyan and his co-conspirator, Karapet Damaryan, pilfering the identity of an unsuspecting bank customer. They didn’t bother with subtlety, fraudulently wiring $141,395 from the victim’s account directly to a local gold coin and bullion store. Their plan? To walk out with approximately 100 one-ounce gold coins – a quick, albeit illegal, payday.
The jig was up before they even touched the gold. The victim, thankfully, checked their account the same day the wire transfer was initiated, flagging the fraudulent activity. Agents from the U.S. Secret Service, working alongside the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, quickly descended on the gold store, arresting Voskanyan and Damaryan as they arrived to claim their ill-gotten gains.
Federal prosecutors Matthew G. Morris and Amy Schuller Hitchcock presented the case, laying out the details of the conspiracy. This wasn’t some sophisticated operation; it was a brazen attempt to exploit a vulnerable system, and it failed spectacularly. The Secret Service, typically known for protecting dignitaries, demonstrated its continued commitment to combating financial crimes.
Damaryan, facing more serious charges, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and bank fraud on January 20, 2017. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2017, and likely faces a stiffer penalty than his accomplice. This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft and financial fraud carry significant consequences, even when the scheme involves shiny metals.
The investigation highlights the importance of vigilant banking practices and the rapid response capabilities of federal law enforcement. While Voskanyan may have dreamed of a golden escape, he’ll now be trading gold coins for prison bars. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that they will continue to pursue those who attempt to defraud financial institutions and steal from innocent citizens.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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