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  5. Money Laundering

Money Laundering

The process of transforming the profits of crime and corruption into ostensibly "legitimate" assets

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Chicago Investigation Lands 2 Chicago-Area Residents in Federal Prison for Conducting Online Inheritance and Romance Scams

CHICAGO — An undercover law enforcement investigation has resulted in federal prison sentences for two Nigerian nationals residing in the Chicago suburbs who conducted online inheritance scams and other fraud schemes following an HSI Chicago investigation.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Arrests California Man for Money Laundering Conspiracy

BOSTON — HSI special agents arrested a California man who has been charged in federal court in Boston in connection with a money laundering conspiracy.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Miami El Dorado Taskforce Multiagency Investigation Uncovers Money Laundering Scheme of Proceeds From Drug Sales Into Cryptocurrency for Mexican Cartels

MIAMI — Nine individuals in the Southern District of Florida were charged for conspiring to launder U.S. currency into cryptocurrency on behalf of drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia and for the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business in a joint investigation by HSI and law enforcement partners.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Bitfinex Hacker Sentenced in Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Billions in Stolen Cryptocurrency

WASHINGTON — Ilya Lichtenstein, 35, of New York City, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy arising from the hack and theft of approximately 120,000 bitcoin from Bitfinex, a global cryptocurrency exchange.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Investigation Leads to Guilty Pleas for Woburn Men for Migrant Smuggling Conspiracy

BOSTON — Father and son owners of two Woburn restaurants pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States from Brazil following an investigation by HSI. One defendant has also pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Ukrainian National Involved in Scheme to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison After HSI-Led Investigation

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Stanislav Romanyuk, 39, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to violate U.S. export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Massachusetts Man Convicted for Money Laundering and Operating Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business

BOSTON — A Danvers man has been convicted after an investigation led by HSI found a business laundering money and operating an unlicensed, “no questions asked” money transmitting business that converted more than $1 million in cash to the digital currency Bitcoin.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Miami’s El Dorado Taskforce Investigation Leads to Banker Guilty Plea in $16M International Bribery, Money Laundering Scheme

MIAMI — A Miami man pleaded guilty on Nov. 12 for his role in a multimillion-dollar international bribery and money laundering scheme in a case investigated by the El Dorado Task Force, HSI Miami field office.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Washington, D.C. Investigation Leads to Arrest of Turkish National for Alleged Conspiracy to Violate Venezuelan Sanctions

WASHINGTON — An HSI Washington, D.C. investigation led to the arrest of 37-year-old Turkish national Taskin Torlak. Torlak has been charged with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions as part of a scheme to transport oil from Venezuela for the benefit of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Human Smuggling Organizer Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Human Smuggling and Money Laundering

DEL RIO, Texas — The leader of a human smuggling organization was sentenced in a federal court to 30 years for human smuggling and money following an investigation conducted by HSI and law enforcement partners.