Guilty of $165,000 fraud: he maxed out his credit before going bankrupt

A beneficiary attendant who had made numerous fraudulent credit applications before declaring bankruptcy and avoiding repaying $165,000 will have to serve 18 months in home prison, a judge ordered, recalling that this type of crime had an impact on all of society. .

“We wrongly believe that the victims are the banks when it is all of society. Because if bank fees are high, it is because of all these frauds,” commented Judge Marie-Josée Di Lallo this Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.

The magistrate was speaking in the case of Brahim Madani, an uneventful beneficiary attendant who committed his crime a decade ago, at the time when he earned around $30,000 per year.

Except that he liked to party and his salary was not enough for him.

That’s when he met a “bankruptcy coach,” who gave him “advice” on how to line his pockets.

Chain withdrawals

Thus, in one month, the 58-year-old accused increased the number of credit requests. And to maximize his chances, he provided false documents making it appear that he had a high salary.

“He submitted six credit applications, obtaining a combined limit of $104,000,” we can read in the summary of facts.

Madani then cashed the money without anyone knowing what he did with it, except for a few tens of thousands of dollars spent on clothing, travel and electronic accessories.

“Several of these transactions were made possible through a fraud scheme that involves taking advantage of check clearing times between banks to make a payment using a non-funded check,” it was said. clarified to the court.

The fraudster also bought a new car for $55,000, which he sold in Algeria shortly after.

Dubious bankruptcy

Madani then declared bankruptcy, saying he was insolvent due to marital problems as well as an addiction to alcohol and drugs. Except that the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy looked into his case, discovering the fraud.

“He used his credit in an accelerated and abusive manner in a manner clearly incompatible with his income,” it is stated in the summary of the facts.

Thus, Madani, who has since led an orderly life, was caught up by his past.

“I am sincerely sorry,” he said sheepishly in court this Thursday.

For the judge, it is clear that Madani had been used by malicious people.

“Criminal organizations will look for people like the accused, without stories, who are capable of making bad choices,” she said.

But no matter who was behind it, it was Madani who got caught, and it was he who suffered the consequences. His lawyer M^e Yann Trignac, however, recalled that his client had stopped his crimes on his own and that since then, he has led an orderly life.

This worked in his favor, allowing him to get 18 months to serve at home, in addition to having to perform 240 hours of community service.

“He is so ashamed of his actions, we will never see him again [en cour criminelle]“, he concluded.