Canadian Man Admits Schemes in Plea

(St. Louis, MO) A man from Canada Mohsen Akbari is pleading guilty to using sleight of hand and other ruses to steal more than $109,000 from retailers in at least 11 states including the Walmart in Arnold. Akbari made his plea Friday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. As part of his guilty plea to wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property, Akbari, admitted entering the U.S. March 1st of, 2023 from South Korea on a visitor visa. He then traveled to Missouri, Illinois and at least 11 other states, where he would target Walmart stores and other retailers. After making a small purchase, Akbari would use a ruse to trick store employees into handing over cash. Akbari sometimes claimed that he and his family collected $100 bills and would ask the cashier to show him those from the cash register so he could examine them. Akbari would then surreptitiously place some of the bills into his sleeve or pocket.

     Akbari stole around $16,000 from Walmart stores in Missouri and Illinois including $5,100 from the Arnold Walmart June 15th. Akbari was arrested August 22nd, 2023 in Connecticut with $5,388 in U.S. currency and 150 Australian dollars derived from the scheme. Akbari admitted stealing a total of $109,452. Authorities seized $69,864 from two of Akbari’s bank accounts. Akbari also wired some money to Canada. He's scheduled to be sentenced March 1st, 2024. The wire fraud charge carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The interstate transportation of stolen property charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and the same fine.