Two Irvine residents have been arrested in connection with a fraud case involving nearly $5 million being misappropriated from a local advertising agency between 2012 and 2021, according to authorities.
Deepak Lakhiani, 40, and Gurpreet Kaur Lakhiani, 41, were arrested on Jan. 28 and 29, respectively after the Irvine Police Department spent three years investigating. The pair is suspected of using the misappropriated millions to fund a lavish lifestyle, according to a police social media post, which included luxury cars, jewelry, real estate, and travel.
The loss to the Irvine advertising agency was so significant that it resulted in the business shuttering. Fifty people lost their jobs, according to Irvine PD spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp.
The Lakhiani pair were booked at Orange County Jail on charges that included grand theft, embezzlement, money laundering, and receiving stolen property.
Anyone else who believe they may be victims should contact investigator Sarah Voigt at svoigt@cityofirvine.org.
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