Ex-Con Gets Prison Time For $1M Scheme Targeting SoCal Surfers

Moundir Kamil sentenced to 44 months for fraud scheme that stole from surfers across Southern California

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:07pm

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A convicted bank robber named Moundir Kamil was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison for running a nearly $1 million fraud scheme that targeted Southern California surfers. Kamil and his co-conspirators would steal the wallets and phones of surfers while they were in the water, then use the stolen information to hack into the victims' accounts and drain their funds.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of organized crime rings targeting vulnerable victims, in this case surfers who leave their valuables unattended while in the ocean. It also raises concerns about the ability of ex-cons to continue committing crimes even while under supervision.

The details

According to court documents, Kamil and his co-defendants would watch surfers in places like Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and San Diego as they parked their cars and went into the water. An accomplice would then steal the car keys and break into the vehicles, stealing wallets and phones. Kamil would then use the stolen information to hack into the victims' accounts and drain their funds, purchasing luxury goods and electronics which he would resell.

  • Kamil's scheme operated from April 2021 through December 2022.
  • Kamil was sentenced on January 29, 2026.

The players

Moundir Kamil

A 56-year-old convicted bank robber from Orange County who masterminded the fraud scheme targeting surfers across Southern California.

Jordan Adams

One of Kamil's co-defendants who pleaded guilty to the same charges.

Jennifer Pruneda

Another of Kamil's co-defendants who pleaded guilty to the same charges.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Kamil out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the vulnerability of surfers to organized crime rings and the need for better security measures to protect their valuables while they are in the water. It also raises concerns about the ability of repeat offenders to continue committing crimes even while under supervision.