A 39-year-old man from Armenia has been sentenced to six years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court for masterminding a complex fraud scheme that defrauded UK businesses of millions.
The Elaborate Fraud Operation
Artur Sargsyan, who operated under multiple aliases including 'Arthur Sargsyan' and 'Arthur Sahakyan', created fake companies to deceive legitimate businesses into paying for non-existent services. The sophisticated operation involved:
- Creating fraudulent business identities
- Fabricating invoices and documentation
- Using multiple bank accounts to launder money
International Dimension
The case had significant international elements, with connections to:
- Bank accounts in Armenia
- Financial transactions in Wisconsin, USA
- Potential links to other European countries
West Midlands Police's Economic Crime Unit led the investigation, working closely with international law enforcement agencies to track the complex money trail.
Sentencing and Asset Recovery
Judge Simon Drew KC described the fraud as "sophisticated and persistent" when delivering the sentence. In addition to the prison term:
- £1.2 million in assets were confiscated
- The defendant faces potential deportation after serving his sentence
- Restitution orders were made for some victims
The case highlights the growing threat of international financial crime targeting UK businesses and the importance of cross-border police cooperation in tackling such offences.
