Matias Alexander Vinces Aguayo, 24, from Gastonia, N.C., was indicted for alleged money laundering of over $380,000 in a wire fraud scheme through payment processors and cryptocurrency exchanges.
According to the Department of Justice, a man from North Carolina has been indicted for allegedly laundering over $380,000 in a wire fraud scheme.
The suspect is accused of transmitting over $240,000 to crypto addresses by transferring illicit funds through payment platforms and cryptocurrency exchanges. The potential penalties for the money laundering conspiracy charge include a 20-year prison sentence and substantial fines.
Gastonia Man Indicted for Laundering Over $380K Through Crypto
Matias The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that Alexander Vinces Aguayo, 24, of Gastonia, N.C., was indicted for allegedly laundering over $380,000 in a wire fraud scheme.
The federal indictment alleges that Aguayo collaborated with others to transfer the illicit funds through various financial channels, such as cryptocurrency exchanges and payment processing services.
According to the indictment, keys ‘N Go, a company that utilized payment platforms such as Stripe and Square, was operated by Aguayo.
Additionally, he is purported to have owned and managed personal and business bank accounts, including one under the name Keys ‘N Go and a cryptocurrency exchange account at Binance.
U.S. Co-conspirators are accused of establishing bank accounts with stolen personal information, depositing fraudulent funds into these accounts, and sending Aguayo the account details. The Department of Justice provided particulars:
In total, Aguayo allegedly transferred at least $240,000 to cryptocurrency addresses and via wire transfers.
The indictment also alleges that Aguayo retained some of the deposited funds as compensation for his involvement in the scheme.
Although he has not yet been convicted, the Justice Department clarified:
The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.
