https://news3lv.com/news/local/canadian-man-pleads-guilty-in-las-vegas-to-stealing-millions-through-sham-companies-us-district-court-nevada-federal-prosecution-crime-fraud-money-laundering

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A Canadian man pleaded guilty in a Las Vegas federal courtroom to stealing millions of dollars from people in the U.S. via sham online companies.

Poupak Jannissar, 52, of Quebec was charged with creating fake companies that pretended to sell internet-based services like cloud storage and online books, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release.

Victims would give their bank information and Jannissar bought lists containing misappropriated personal information belonging to thousands of potential victims, prosecutors alleged.

If the victims didn't dispute the initial charges, he and his co-conspirators would debut the bank accounts multiple times and transfer the money they stole to accounts in Canada.

Jannissar pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

"[Monday's] guilty plea demonstrates our commitment to finding and prosecuting individuals who steal from consumers," U.S. Attorney for Nevada Jason Frierson said in a statement. "Defrauding consumers and stealing their hard-earned dollars is a crime against the individuals but it also violates the trust we have in free commerce. With our law enforcement partners, we are committed to holding accountable those who violate federal law."

Jannisar faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge.