A Los Angeles resident, Haykaz Mansuryan, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his involvement in a million-dollar financial identity theft scheme. Mansuryan admitted to installing skimmers, specialized electronic devices, into gas pumps throughout Southern California to capture credit and debit card information from unsuspecting victims. He and his accomplices then used this stolen information to create unauthorized cards, siphoning funds or selling the financial data for personal gain. The scheme, which lasted from August 2018 to October 2021, resulted in the theft of over $1 million. Mansuryan has been ordered to forfeit the stolen amount and participate in paying restitution to the victims of his crimes. The successful prosecution of Mansuryan serves as a reminder that those who exploit unsuspecting victims will face justice and highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement professionals in dismantling sophisticated criminal groups.
Skimmer Gets Prison for Million-Dollar Financial Identity Theft Scheme
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Haykaz Mansuryan sentenced to 41 months in prison
Today, Haykaz Mansuryan, a resident of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for his involvement in a million-dollar financial identity theft scheme. Mansuryan pleaded guilty to his charges and admitted to installing specialized devices known as “skimmers” in gas pumps throughout Southern California to steal the financial information of unsuspecting victims. This sentence serves as a reminder that those who commit such crimes will face justice.
Mansuryan’s admission of guilt
In his plea agreement, Mansuryan confessed to breaking into numerous gas pumps to install skimmers. These electronic devices are designed to capture credit and debit card information from individuals using the pumps. Mansuryan further revealed that the conspiracy he participated in resulted in over $1 million in illicit gains. This admission of guilt highlights the importance of safeguarding the public’s ability to conduct financial transactions without fear of falling victim to identity theft.
Details of Mansuryan’s scheme
Mansuryan and his accomplices targeted gas pumps across Southern California to carry out their scheme. They installed customized skimming devices, which were created by other members of the criminal network, in order to steal credit and debit card information during legitimate transactions. Once they had obtained the victims’ information, Mansuryan and his conspirators would either create unauthorized cards for their personal use or sell the stolen financial data to others who would exploit it for personal gain. This scheme was not only financially devastating to the victims but also undermined trust in the financial system.
Recovery of skimming devices
Law enforcement agencies were able to recover 54 skimming devices from various gas stations that Mansuryan had targeted. This significant seizure of evidence demonstrates the extent of Mansuryan’s criminal activities and the concerted effort made by law enforcement to bring him to justice. The recovery of these devices will aid in the ongoing investigation and potentially help identify additional victims who may have been affected by the scheme.
Mansuryan’s personal gains and restitution
During his participation in the scheme from August 2018 to October 2021, Mansuryan personally profited from his criminal activities, receiving a total of $931,213.92. As part of his sentencing, Mansuryan has been ordered to forfeit this amount and participate in paying restitution to the victims of his crimes. The restitution amount, totaling $923,374.14, will help provide some compensation to those whose financial well-being was compromised due to Mansuryan’s actions.
Prison sentences for other defendants
Mansuryan is not the only individual held accountable for his involvement in this financial identity theft scheme. Other defendants in related cases have already received prison sentences for similar conduct. For instance, Robert Fichidzhyan, who played a role in building the skimming devices used by Mansuryan and his associates, was sentenced to 41 months in custody and ordered to pay $619,923.45 in restitution. Margar Simonyan was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in custody, as well as forfeiture and restitution. One defendant remains a fugitive, while two others are awaiting a jury trial. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement have been instrumental in dismantling this criminal network.
Proud collaboration of law enforcement agencies
This case exemplifies the successful collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the San Diego Police Department; the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; the Glendale Police Department; the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Bureau of Weights and Measures; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, among others, all contributed significantly to the investigation. Additionally, partnerships with the financial and private sectors, including the National Cyber-Forensics Training Alliance (NCTFA), have played a crucial role in uncovering and prosecuting these criminal activities. The joint efforts of these law enforcement professionals demonstrate their dedication to protecting the U.S. financial system and bringing individuals who take advantage of unsuspecting victims to justice.
Investigation involvement
The investigation into this financial identity theft scheme involved extensive collaboration and contributions from various sources. Besides law enforcement agencies, the investigation received assistance from state, local, and federal partners, as well as the financial and private sectors. Their combined efforts have been pivotal in uncovering the extent of the criminal activities and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
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Website for victims of the offense
For individuals who believe they may be victims of this offense, the U.S. Department of Justice has established a dedicated website to provide information and resources. Victims can visit www.justice.gov/largecases for more information on how to navigate the process and seek potential restitution.
Defendants and charges
The list of defendants involved in this financial identity theft scheme includes Haykaz Mansuryan, Hayk Shakaryan, Davit Babayan, Artour Hakobyan, Petros Armutyan, Hakop Karayan, Robert Fichidzhyan, and Vasiliy Polyak. These individuals face charges related to conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices and possess device-making equipment, as well as aggravated identity theft for specific defendants. The potential penalties for these charges range from imprisonment to fines, depending on prior convictions and the severity of the offenses.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Haykaz Mansuryan to 41 months in prison serves as a reminder that financial identity theft schemes will not be tolerated. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, alongside the dedicated support from the financial and private sectors, have played a crucial role in uncovering this criminal activity and bringing those responsible to justice. As investigations continue and more victims potentially come forward, it is important to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to protect personal and financial information.
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