Identity Vampires Prey on Vulnerable Elders

Foreign Nationals and Crew Arrested for Hijacking Properties with Forged Papers

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Los Angeles, CA – March 24, 2026 – Federal authorities dismantled a ruthless fraud ring Thursday, arresting 11 defendants accused of stealing the identities of elderly Southern California homeowners to secretly plunder their properties through millions in bogus loans.

The 15-count federal indictment, returned February 5, charges the group with running an elaborate operation from January 2021 to May 2023 that targeted seniors owning homes in Santa Monica, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Westwood, and Chinatown.

Suspects allegedly obtained victims’ personal information, forged IDs and documents, impersonated the owners or their relatives, and tricked private lenders into disbursing roughly $6 million in actual funds—with an intended loss reaching $17.4 million.

Identity Vampires Prey on Vulnerable Elders — Click to enlarge

Among those taken into custody were:

Nazaret Chakrian, 65, a.k.a. “Niko,” of Hollywood
Arnold Moradians, 57, a.k.a. “Julian,” of Hollywood, an Iranian national with an outstanding deportation warrant
Avetis Hekimyan, 38, a.k.a. “Chef Avo,” of North Hollywood
Ross Tarkhan, 32, of Glendale
Tigran Hovanesian, 56, of Glendale
Armen Vardevaryan, 55, a.k.a. “Gonch,” of North Hollywood
Craig Higdon, 66, of Naples, Florida
Helen Spangler, 62, of Oakdale, California
Victor Lossi, 43, of Thousand Oaks
Marine Sarkisian, 49, of Hollywood, an Azerbaijani national and green card holder
Cynthia Borjas, 51, of Koreatown

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Most appeared in Los Angeles federal court Thursday afternoon for arraignment, while others will make initial appearances in Florida and Eastern California.

Prosecutors say the scheme unfolded like a well-oiled machine: Chakrian and Moradians allegedly harvested elderly victims’ personal identifying information. Others created fake IDs, email accounts in the victims’ names, and counterfeit documents—including phony bank statements, rental agreements, doctors’ notes, and even death certificates.

Posing as the homeowners’ agents or family members, the group submitted fraudulent loan applications to private hard-money lenders, claiming the seniors’ properties as collateral.

Once lenders approved the deals, suspects allegedly forged closing documents, used stolen or synthetic identities to open funnel accounts, and wired or mailed the proceeds through a web of shell businesses. One defendant, Ross Tarkhan, faces additional money-laundering counts for allegedly routing the cash.

All but one defendant face conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple substantive wire-fraud counts. Several also stand accused of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive prison sentence. If convicted on the top counts, each faces up to 20 years per fraud or laundering charge.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli declared, “There is no shortage of massive fraud occurring within California… Those days are over under this U.S. Department of Justice.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis highlighted the vulnerability of elderly victims, while IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher vowed to “dismantle the money pipelines” behind such schemes.

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Hard Money,” was led by the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force in partnership with the LAPD, Glendale Police, IRS Criminal Investigation, and other agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claire E. Kelly and Hava Mirell are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation; every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Authorities emphasized that the crackdown sends a strong message: those who exploit seniors and the financial system will face serious prison time.

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California