Two Southern California men were arrested Thursday for allegedly leading a complex money laundering program that accounts for $10 million for at least 100 victims, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Sylas Nyuydzene Verdzekov, 38, of Chino Hills, and Lovert Che, 44, of Lomita, were detained Thursday, while Inglewood's third defendant, Mustapha Nkachiwouo selly Yamie, remained the whole big man.
Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiracy to launder money. The Central District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that the program is primarily aimed at the elderly.
The indictment stated that starting from November 2021, the defendants used false identities and at least 36 Shell companies representing “fake business”. They allegedly opened no less than 145 bank accounts under false identities.
A plan to target older victims’ phone and email pop-ups, “The defendant and his accomplice, together with a prominent company, attempted to help victims maintain the security of their accounts,” one indictment said.
The defendant then allegedly used false badges and job titles to convince the victim to send bank information under the guise of ensuring a vulnerable bank account. Victims will send money from their own account to fraudulent accounts, where they will not be able to obtain funds.
The indictment alleges that the defendant used the money on personal expenses such as rent.
Another alleged scam involves the defendant who pretended to be a fictional real estate owner and deceived the victim into thinking that a legal property sale is taking place and then fill the money.
If convicted, the three men face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The indictment states that the defendants “established a sophisticated fraud and money laundering program that targets our most vulnerable citizens,” said Atty, who represented us. Joseph T. McNally. “They not only stole the victim’s money, but also deprived them of their safety and trust.”
