August 17, 2009
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News: FBI Cracks Major CC Ring
Four individuals have been arrested in Colorado on charges of credit card fraud which is thought to be on a much larger scale. Authorities are not offering a lot of details regarding the FBI investigation; however, it does appear to be related to credit card fraud in excess of $80 million. The ongoing investigation has lead to the arrest of the four individuals including two Russian females, Nadezda Nikitina and Natallia Vishnevskaya. Each has been charged with bank fraud and false and fraudulent bank applications. FBI agents embarked on a raid of over 12 businesses across Denver including Maaliki Motors, CannaMed Alternative Medicine of Southeast Denver and several other personal residences. According to Walid Maaliki, owner of Maaliki Motors, the automobile dealer is not a suspect in the fraud and that purchasing records were all in proper order and have been turned over to the authorities. Details have not been released but it is reported that one of the two females arrested defrauded a bank of over $10,000 when she used a stolen credit card to purchase a car at Maaliki Motors. FBI agents are interested in other cars that allegedly were purchased by fraudulent card activities.
The investigation is expected to reveal a large organized ring of criminals participating in credit card fraud and bank fraud. They have attempted to defraud banking institutions out of millions of dollars, assets, and property. The U.S. Attorney's Office says they are continuing their investigation and expect it will lead to the arrest of more individuals. Reports allege there are an estimated 700 more individuals across the country that could be involved in the credit card fraud.
The ring of thieves, predominantly Soviet Union nationals, apparently registered false business names with the Colorado Secretary of State and then opened up various credit card and line of credit accounts. The criminals would rack up thousands of dollars on the cards with no intention of paying. The two other individuals arrested on fraud charges were Susan Ghardashyan and Seda Sahakyan. Susan Ghardashyan has been hospitalized since her arrest for unknown medical reasons. Seda Sahakyan also has a medical condition but has been subpoenaed to appear in court on criminal charges.