U.S. Armenians convicted in bank fraud scheme
Four members of an alleged Armenian organized crime ring were convicted by a federal judge in the USA on charges of identity theft and bank fraud.
After a five week trial, the four defendants were convicted for their roles in one of the largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in California history, with dozens of victims in four states and millions of dollars in losses.
Arman Sharopetrosian, 33, of Burbank, Keren Markosian, 39, of Glendale, Kristine Ogandzhanian, 28, of Burbank, and Artush Margaryan, 28, of Van Nuys, were found guilty of a number of crimes and were linked to a crime operation that lasted six years and claimed $10 million from victims in Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Southern California.
They face maximum sentences of 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and 30 years for each count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and an additional mandatory two years for each count of aggravated identity theft.
The head of the group Arman Sharopetrosian ran the operation while behind bars at Avenal State Prison and directed the co-defendants to illegally obtain information from investors' bank accounts, according to prosecutors. According to reports, he withdrew money from bank accounts, forged signatures and wrote out false checks.
Another 20 people are supposedly involved in the crime besides the main four defendants.
