LOS ANGELES – In a major blow to identity thieves and tax scammers, six individuals linked to a large-scale tax fraud scheme in San Fernando Valley, California, have been arrested by special agents with IRS – Criminal Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The arrests are the result of an eight-month investigation into a ring that allegedly obtained nearly $10 million from the IRS through “Operation National Treasure.” The six arrested individuals are among eight defendants named in a 132-count indictment filed Monday in United States District Court.
The indictment alleges that the defendants operated a scheme that started in 2010 with the theft of personal identifying information, such as driver’s license and Social Security numbers. Armed with this data, members of the conspiracy allegedly submitted income tax returns to the IRS under the names of the identity theft victims.
According to the indictment, the defendants took the fraudulently obtained checks to various “check cashers,” who took their own “cuts” before providing cash to the defendants. The indictment specifically alleges that members of the conspiracy filed at least 2,977 false federal income tax returns (Forms 1040) with the IRS that fraudulently claimed a total of $19,324,632 in refunds. The IRS paid out approximately $9,952,077 based on the false and fraudulently filed 1040 Form tax returns.
The six arrested individuals are:
Ashot Karapetian, 47, of North Hollywood;
Suren “Sonny” Gambaryan, 33, of North Hollywood;
Artak “Max” Berberyan, 33, of Van Nuys;
Vigen “Vic” Tsaturyan, 47, of Sun Valley;
Armen “Roman” Berberyan, 33, of Van Nuys; and
Arman Zargaryan, 30, of Granada Hills.
The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in federal court in Santa Ana, where this case will be litigated.
Additionally, two defendants named in the indictment are currently being sought by authorities. They are:
Akop “Jack” Kantrdzyan, 33, of Sylmar; and
David Samsonyan, also known as “Little Guy,” 31, of Winnetka.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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