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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 targeting elderly homeowners.
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
During the raid, part of Operation Hard Money, agents surrounded the home and took the suspect into custody after he walked out with his hands up before being handcuffed, FOX 11 reported. Several luxury vehicles were parked outside, and the property appeared recently remodeled, the outlet reported.
FBI RAIDS HOME AND OFFICES OF MAJOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
FBI agents take a suspect into custody outside a Hollywood mansion during a raid linked to an alleged $17.4 million mortgage fraud scheme targeting elderly homeowners. (FBI Los Angeles)
“There is no shortage of massive fraud occurring within California,” Bill Essayli, first assistant United States attorney, said in a statement. “Today’s operation represents one of many sophisticated schemes used by criminals — including foreign nationals — to defraud U.S. citizens and taxpayers of their hard-earned property. Those days are over under this U.S. Department of Justice. These defendants will be facing significant prison time for their charged conduct.”
“Massive alleged fraud takedown in California from @FBILosAngeles — well done,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X in response to the raid.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
All defendants except one are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud, while several also face aggravated identity theft and money laundering charges, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said.
Authorities allege the group targeted elderly homeowners between 2021 and 2023, stealing personal information and using it to create fake IDs and email accounts to impersonate victims. They then applied for high-value “hard money” loans backed by the victims’ properties, submitting falsified documents including bank statements, rental agreements and medical records.
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 Task Force arrested 11 suspects in “Operation Hard Money,” accusing them of stealing elderly victims’ identities to fraudulently secure loans against their properties. (@FBILosAngeles / X)
The suspects allegedly used fake identities and shell accounts to funnel the proceeds, which were wired to accounts under their control.
Authorities said the scheme involved properties across Los Angeles — including 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 agents take a suspect into custody outside a Hollywood mansion during a raid linked to an alleged $17.4 million mortgage fraud scheme targeting elderly homeowners. (FOX 11/KTTV)
Two of the suspects are foreign nationals — Moradians, an Iranian national who has an outstanding warrant for removal from the United States, and Sarkisian, an Azerbaijani national and green card holder, prosecutors said.
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If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each fraud and money laundering count, along with a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.
The case is being investigated by the FBI-led Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force alongside IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and local law enforcement agencies.