Fraudster gets 4-year sentence for credit card scheme
A man who ran a credit card scheme from western to central Newfoundland was sentenced to four years in provincial court in Grand Falls-Windsor on Friday.
Nour-El-Dean Mouneimneh ran the scheme from Port aux Basques to Gander.
Mouneimneh was given four years, less time served, for 52 charges related to credit card fraud.
Mouneimneh, along with his partner in the scheme, Michael Soliman, arrived by ferry the province in February and proceeded to use stolen or fake credit cards to buy gift cards or prepaid credit cards, allowing them to steal thousands of dollars from individuals and retailers.
He committed the crimes in this province while out on a conditional sentence from Quebec for similar crimes. There is also an ongoing investigation by police in Edmunston, New Brunswick.
Judge Timothy Chalker said in court on Friday it was clear Mouneimneh was well versed in this type of crime.
Chalker said the fact that Mouneimneh shipped the cards from province to province and owned a machine to perform the fraud meant his intention was clear, adding that he hopes Mouneimneh can turn his life around.
The RCMP said due to the nature of the crimes, more victims may come forward after they discover the false charges on their cards.
Police in this province have been working with detachments across Atlantic Canada to get a full picture of the crimes.
The trial in this province for Soliman is ongoing, with no word on when he will be sentenced.