FBI raids Hollywood mansion in $17.4M aged mortgage fraud case

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FBI agents raided a Hollywood mansion early Thursday, arresting a suspect in pajamas in a raid tied to an alleged $17.4 million mortgage fraud scheme focusing on aged owners.

Prosecutors <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/2-foreign-nationals-among-11-arrested-charges-they-used-stolen-identities-fraudulently?bm-verify=AAQAAAAN_____4aWxOgMjfklWNR_v10iRq8AwQEUKTZanGYF3TnR-tS_y4Nm2PqqM75j6V4VuFdb7xmFwrUjhpKRtq07kcr7OBQ0OzwCbluXfv1AgAEZbOUFmvQq2Cc_-Fv5wfTuF-MeSDkwfxRdYw7t1b2Msd4TbTCZfzJdgYhe1bJUVBVWGgZjwRp6kDoQxaFb2zbQyQRKUuEmV40kklC1H6leUUjk2VeSeqgPRwDDVtAF2ZT12vZByBATnDH1i8l9SPhxhYGOr20vWS3GPP1aSrDX4ojWHXdEN1FPLDI5kfmpIcq_m6qjaOLG9Yg1J7_VeJLJQ51mRhnZy564D7AMZzB5n1tZXh_iRfrha0Nq88PCNd8N4Fg-Mslc9AnshPLWNgXiKa_K7kRCsCivLUhr0a0B7CoAwls9u3AMJV5VmRTT1634NjxX6Dkf7mbzAkLsUTkyEhU1pM2OBfjBcneZbf7227rRJ6NoXmVvu59vAN62tehfw0tjC9CP1eXCS9E8GsCwuxb5dVsdixuer3IQE10aV3MfSG6H" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in precise losses, with 11 suspects — together with an Iranian and Azerbaijani nationwide — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their houses and pocketing the money.

Through the raid, a part of Operation Onerous Cash, brokers surrounded the house and took the suspect into custody after he walked out together with his palms up earlier than being handcuffed, FOX 11 reported. A number of luxurious automobiles have been parked outdoors, and the property appeared lately transformed, the outlet reported.

FBI RAIDS HOME AND OFFICES OF MAJOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

FBI brokers take a suspect into custody outdoors a Hollywood mansion throughout a raid linked to an alleged $17.4 million mortgage fraud scheme focusing on aged owners. (FBI Los Angeles)

"There is no such thing as a scarcity of huge fraud occurring inside California," Invoice Essayli, first assistant United States legal professional, mentioned in an announcement. "Immediately’s operation represents one in every of many refined schemes utilized by criminals — together with foreign nationals — to defraud U.S. residents and taxpayers of their hard-earned property. These days are over beneath this U.S. Division of Justice. These defendants might be dealing with important jail time for his or her charged conduct."

"Huge alleged fraud takedown in California from @FBILosAngeles — properly performed," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X in response to the raid.

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All defendants besides one are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a number of counts of wire fraud, whereas a number of additionally face aggravated id theft and cash laundering prices, prosecutors from the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Central District of California mentioned.

Authorities allege the group focused aged owners between 2021 and 2023, stealing private info and utilizing it to create pretend IDs and e mail accounts to impersonate victims. They then utilized for high-value "hard money" loans backed by the victims’ properties, submitting falsified paperwork together with financial institution statements, rental agreements and medical information.

I'VE WORKED THOUSANDS OF MONEY LAUNDERING CASES — FRAUD IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

After a four-year probe, the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Activity Drive arrested 11 suspects in "Operation Onerous Cash," accusing them of stealing aged victims’ identities to fraudulently safe loans towards their properties. (@FBILosAngeles / X)

The suspects allegedly used pretend identities and shell accounts to funnel the proceeds, which have been wired to accounts beneath their management.

Authorities mentioned the scheme concerned properties throughout Los Angeles — together with Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Westwood and Chinatown.

The defendants are Nazaret Chakrian, 65; Arnold Moradians, 57; Avetis Hekimyan, 38; Ross Tarkhan, 32; Tigran Hovanesian, 56; Armen Vardevaryan, 55; Craig Higdon, 66; Helen Spangler, 62; Victor Lossi, 43; Marine Sarkisian, 49; and Cynthia Borjas, 51.

FBI brokers take a suspect into custody outdoors a Hollywood mansion throughout a raid linked to an alleged $17.4 million mortgage fraud scheme focusing on aged owners. (FOX 11/KTTV)

Two of the suspects are international nationals — Moradians, an Iranian nationwide who has an impressive warrant for elimination from the US, and Sarkisian, an Azerbaijani nationwide and inexperienced card holder, prosecutors mentioned.

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If convicted, the defendants resist 20 years in federal prison for every fraud and cash laundering rely, together with a compulsory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated id theft.

The case is being investigated by the FBI-led Eurasian Organized Crime Activity Drive alongside IRS Prison Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and native regulation enforcement companies.