LA man sentenced in bank fraud, identity theft scheme targeting victims in Arizona, other states

A Los Angeles man was sentenced in Arizona to nearly six years in prison for his role in a bank fraud and identity theft scheme, authorities announced Tuesday.

Armani Ryan Purandah, 27, targeted victims across the country, including in Arizona, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Prosecutors said Purandah led a scheme in which he and his co-conspirators used victims’ personal information and fake IDs to open fraudulent business bank accounts. Those fake accounts were then linked to the victims’ real bank accounts.

Once the accounts were connected, members of the scheme transferred money from the victims’ legitimate accounts into the fake accounts. They then withdrew the stolen money in cash at banks and tribal casinos.

Prosecutors said the cash was delivered to Purandah or others who helped oversee the operation.

Purandah was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. In addition to 70 months in prison, he was ordered to pay $1,188,008 in restitution to the victims.

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