Armenian mafia busted in the U.S.: multiple arrests

Fox News has released footage showing the arrest of members of an Armenian criminal group in Los Angeles, accused of embezzling $30 million through fraud.

According to the network, 14 individuals of Armenian descent are suspected of illegally obtaining tens of millions of dollars allocated by the U.S. government to aid those in need.

The footage, provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), captured the moment of the arrest of one suspect — a man operating under the alias William MacGreyan. He was apprehended at his home in Los Angeles.

Investigators believe that MacGreyan was the organizer of a transnational criminal network that stole about $30 million intended for COVID-19 relief and small business support.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that 14 individuals, most of whom are U.S. citizens, were taken into custody during the operation. They are facing charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

The investigation found that the suspects created a number of shell companies using forged documents. Part of the stolen funds was used to purchase real estate and luxury goods, while the rest was transferred to Armenia, complicating efforts to trace the money. In total, the defendants requested about $47 million in federal funds, successfully embezzling around $30 million.