2 arrested in an elderly fraud scheme of southern California of $ 10 million aimed at 100 victims – San Bernardino Sun

Two men living in southern California were arrested this week for allegedly executing a financial fraud scheme of $ 10 million that addressed more than 100 victims, many of whom were old.

Sylas Nyuydzene Verdzekov, 38, of Chino Hills, and the 44 -year -old Che lover of Lomita, were put into federal custody. A third defendant, Mustapha Nkachiwouo Selly Yamie, 29, from Inglewood, was being wanted by the Police, according to the office of the United States prosecutor.

Each defendant is accused of a federal conspiracy charge to commit money laundering.

“As the accusation alleges, these defendants built a sophisticated scheme of fraud and money laundering that was directed and took advantage of our most vulnerable citizens,” said interim prosecutor Joseph T. McNally in a statement.

“They not only stole the money from the victims, but they stole them from their security and confidence. Let this serve as a clear message: if it disappoints the members of our community, especially the elderly, we will hold it to the greater extent of the law. “

According to the accusation, from at least November 2021 and continuing to the present, Verdzekov, Yamie and Che, and Associates, created false identification documents of fictitious people, including passports and driving licenses. Using false documents, the defendants invented at least 36 Shell companies in California, which did not carry out legitimate issues and were created only to advance their crimes, prosecutors argue.

Verdzekov, Yamie and Che supposedly opened at least 145 bank accounts and at least 32 private mailboxes throughout the south of California using false identities and simulated businesses, according to the office of the United States prosecutor.

In a scheme, it is specifically addressed to the elderly victims who use telephone calls and email, the defendants and others were passed through the application personnel or employees with known companies that try to help victims maintain the safety of their accounts, according to judicial documents.

Then they allegedly manufactured bank accounts of victims or payment accounts that are committed and need to solve quickly. The victims were told that they needed to move money from their “corrupt” accounts quickly to ensure that they maintained all their money, and to move it to accounts that allege Verdzekov, Yamie and Che opening and controlled federal fiscal ones.

In a similar scam, the defendants allegedly passed through a real estate owner selling properties. Using a false and credential identification, the defendants allegedly deceived the victims to believe that they were celebrating a legitimate sale of the property and deceived the victims to wire money or sent a check to an account or mailbox of the defendants and their controlled co-conspirators, according to the accusation.

In total, Verdzekov, Yamie and Che, and their conspirators, washed at least $ 10 million in funds taken from at least 100 victims, prosecutors allege.

If it is convicted, the defendants would face up to 20 years in a federal prison, said the office of the United States prosecutor.