The Oklahoman

Former Edmond man sentenced in wire fraud

- Staff Writer kschwab@oklahoman.com BY KYLE SCHWAB

A former Edmond man apologized Monday for an unusual crime, breaking into convenienc­e stores to fraudulent­ly load money onto his credit cards.

“I’m really sorry. I know I did something bad,” Samir Khan said during his sentencing in Oklahoma City federal court. “I promise I won’t do it again.”

He wiped tears from his eyes after apologizin­g to U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton.

In August, Khan, now 40, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He obtained nearly $50,000 by processing hundreds of fraudulent refunds onto credit and debit cards. The judge sentenced Khan to four years’ probation, plus four weekends in jail. The judge said Khan already made full restitutio­n. Khan reportedly sold his house to pay back the victims.

In making his decision, the judge called Khan’s actions “significan­t criminal behavior,” but noted that he has no prior conviction­s. Between May 2016 and January 2017, Khan broke into two Oklahoma City convenienc­e stores on several occasions. Once inside, he would use the point of sale terminals to swipe his credit cards and issue the reverse transactio­ns, according to prosecutor­s.

At one store, Khan processed 190 fraudulent transactio­ns totaling more than $33,000 in refunds. At the other store, he processed 47 fraudulent transactio­ns totaling more than $15,000, according to prosecutor­s.

Khan used to own a Del City gas station. Twice in 2014,his station was barred from selling fuel after customers complained about being overcharge­d.

During the sentencing, the judge said the Oklahoma Corporatio­n Commission fined Khan $15,000 related to “fraudulent gas sales.”

Defense attorney Irven Box said Khan has since moved to Texas and is working at a car dealership.

 ??  ?? Samir Khan
Samir Khan

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