Alleged credit card scammer moves to BC Supreme Court
North Vancouver RCMP said Jahanrakhshan acquired account data from unsuspecting bank clients – in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Europe and the Middle East.
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Updated: August 10, 2009 9:48 AM
A Vancouver man who faces more than 90 criminal charges for an alleged network of credit card frauds and a high-speed boat chase will proceed to BC Supreme Court.
Kamyar Jahanrakhshan appeared in North Vancouver provincial court Thursday and waved a preliminary inquiry, meaning his case will now proceed in the higher court.
North Vancouver RCMP said Jahanrakhshan acquired account data from unsuspecting bank clients – in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Europe and the Middle East. They said he used the data to create new fake credit cards and embarked on a spending spree totaled at least $140,000.
The purchases were boats and cars, RCMP said.
In May 2008, police began their investigation after a North Shore auto dealership said Jahanrakhshan's alleged fraudulent purchase of two vehicles were flagged by different financial institutions.
The combined value of the vehicles was more than $110,000, said police.
Police allege Jahanrakhshan used the faulty cards to buy a boat and more vehicles from Vancouver-area merchants in a $140,000-spending spree.
One merchant launched a civil action to repossess a boat allegedly bought by Jahanrakhshan using faulty cards, sending a bailiff to confront Jahanrakhshan in the Port Moody marina.
When Jahanrakhshan tried to flee the scene he rammed into several other boats, police said.
The VPD Marine Unit and an RCMP chopper later apprehended the man in the Vancouver Harbour.
Some of the more than 90 charges against Jahanrakhshan include over 30 counts of fraud, more than 40 counts of possession, use or trafficking of a forged or falsified credit card, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vessel and one count of failing to stop at an accident.
He is scheduled to appear Aug. 12 at the Vancouver law courts to fix a trial date.
kmcmanus@northshoreoutlook.com
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