Guilty Pleas in Cyber Fraud Scheme Laundering Millions to China

Photo byU.S. Attorney's Office

By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published May 2nd, 2024

ORLANDO, FL — In a significant crackdown on international money laundering and cybercrime, five individuals have pleaded guilty to charges related to an elaborate scheme to launder millions of dollars to Chinese companies. The money was derived from computer frauds targeting U.S. small businesses, announced United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida.

The defendants—Cristian Rodriguez Labour, Jihad William Morales, Michael Gabriel Robles Vazquez, Aramys Gonzalez Rodriguez, and Jorge Ivan Ortiz Buil—entered guilty pleas on various dates ranging from February to May 2024 to charges including conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, concealment money laundering, and structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements. Sentencing for these individuals is scheduled throughout May and July 2024.

According to plea agreements and court documents, the group orchestrated a sophisticated operation involving the creation of fictitious businesses in Florida. These businesses were used to open bank accounts in Deltona and Orlando, into which accomplices, who had hacked into the computer systems of various small businesses across the country, directed wire transfers. The funds were quickly moved out of these accounts to businesses in regions across China, including Zhejiang, Weifang, Shouguang, Huzhou, and Hangzhou, in an effort to conceal their origins. Portions of the money were also withdrawn in structured increments to avoid triggering bank reporting requirements.

Over several months in 2021, the defendants successfully laundered $3,323,941 and attempted to launder an additional $6,145,877. Specific instances of laundering included over $1 million processed through multiple Orlando bank accounts by Labour and Gonzalez Rodriguez from August to December 2021, and a single account in December 2021 where Labour and Ortiz Buil attempted to launder $1 million, ultimately laundering about $250,000 through various banks until February 2022.

The operation was brought to light through a joint investigation by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

U.S. Attorney Handberg emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating, "This case underscores the sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals to exploit and monetize stolen data from American businesses. Our office, along with our federal partners, is committed to dismantling such networks and holding criminals accountable."

The case serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing threats posed by cyber intrusions and the complex networks that can evolve to exploit these criminal enterprises. With their guilty pleas, the defendants now face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of money laundering and conspiracy, and up to 10 years for each count of structuring.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Photo byiSkyCreations - News & Media