A Canadian man accused of overstaying his visa in the US has been charged in an alleged cryptocurrency fraud scheme that authorities say stole more than $13 million from victims by impersonating crypto support agents.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, 19-year-old Trenton Richard David Johnston allegedly posed as a support representative for a popular search engine and crypto-related companies to gain access to victims’ digital accounts and cryptocurrency wallets while living in the Miami area.
Prosecutors say Johnston and his co-conspirators transferred victims’ crypto holdings for their own benefit, causing losses exceeding $13 million.
Authorities also charged 28-year-old Brandon Michael Tardibone of Miami, alleging he harbored Johnston while he was unlawfully present in the US and helped launder proceeds from the scheme.
Federal prosecutors claim the pair used more than $1 million in illicit proceeds on luxury vehicles, jewelry, and nightlife expenses.
Johnston faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Tardibone is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and harboring an alien in the US, charges that carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 years and 10 years, respectively.
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