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Ukrainian Citizen Accused of Stealing Millions from American Consumers
A U.S. citizen residing in Ukraine, Harold Sobel, 68, has been charged with conspiracy to make false statements to a bank and two counts of false statements to banks. The indictment was returned by a grand jury in the District of Nevada on August 24, 2022.
A grand jury in the District of Nevada indicted Harold Sobel for conspiracy to make false statements to a bank and two counts of false statements to banks. Sobel was arrested on August 12, 2022, at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, before he could return to Ukraine.
According to the indictment, Sobel traveled from Ukraine to the United States in October 2019 and February 2020 and used his identity to open accounts at federally insured banks. Control of which he immediately transferred to a co-conspirator who then impersonated Sobel in communications with the banks.
In a related civil complaint unsealed yesterday, the Justice Department alleges that a transnational network of fraudsters, including Harold Sobel, stole millions of dollars from American consumers by charging unauthorized debits against their bank accounts. The fraudsters used sham companies to cover their tracks and make the unauthorized debits appear legitimate.
The temporary restraining order obtained by the government enjoined the defendants from making unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts and from using micro transactions to disguise chargebacks. The government also successfully petitioned for the appointment of a receiver to stop defendants from dissipating assets obtained through the fraud scheme.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented in the criminal case by Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith Healy of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang of the District of Nevada.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Cybercrime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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