(Thechieftainspear) – A North Hills man has been sentenced to over five years in federal prison for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that targeted dozens of victims across Southern California.
Oren David Sela, 36, was handed a 61-month sentence on April 22 for his role in a wide-ranging operation involving mail theft, identity fraud, and bank deception. He was also ordered to repay $1,818,369 in restitution to his victims.
According to federal prosecutors, Sela focused much of his activity in affluent neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, stealing mail and packages to gather personal and financial information from unsuspecting residents.
Between November 2021 and October 2023, Sela allegedly collected Social Security numbers, bank account details, and debit cards from stolen mail. He then accessed victims’ online banking platforms and financial accounts—often defeating security protocols using SIM-swapping tactics. This technique allowed him to hijack phone numbers tied to the accounts, bypassing two-factor authentication systems.
Once inside, Sela used the stolen identities to open additional bank accounts and move funds into intermediary accounts under his control. He either withdrew cash, transferred the money elsewhere, or used stolen debit and credit cards to make purchases. Among his lavish expenditures was a luxury watch valued at nearly $17,000, authorities said.
Prosecutors believe Sela stole at least $1.8 million through hundreds of fraudulent transactions, impacting at least 62 victims.
Sela’s criminal behavior wasn’t new. In 2022, he was previously arrested in Beverly Hills and found with nearly $25,000 in cash, high-end jewelry, and multiple fraudulent credit cards linked to elderly victims. Even after his release, authorities uncovered more evidence. Searches conducted in 2022 and 2023 turned up stolen mail, fake IDs, financial documents, and more than $70,000 in cash at his residences.
In October 2024, Sela pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest in October 2023.
The U.S. Secret Service and Beverly Hills Police Department led the investigation into the case.
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