Deceived dozens of Americans and laundered more than $ 1 million: a Russian was sentenced to almost 4 years in prison in the USA

Russian citizen Taras Ilyich Bevz was sentenced to 46 months (3 years and 10 months) in prison for laundering over a million dollars. This is stated on the site. US Department of Justice.

With the help of various types of fraud on the Internet, he deceived dozens of US citizens and companies.

“Bevz, a Russian citizen, traveled to the United States on a tourist visa to engage in criminal activity that resulted in over 40 individuals and organizations suffering over a million dollars in losses. From the day he set foot on American soil, Bevz has run companies and bank accounts that have laundered money through various sophisticated internet scams. Bevz's illegal trip to America to commit crimes ended in a significant prison term," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

Around November 12, 2019, Bevz entered the United States from Russia on a B2 tourist visa that prohibited him from working in the US. He immediately set about preparing a corrupt money laundering scheme.

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On the day of his arrival, Bevz registered a corporation in New York, which he eventually used for money laundering, and soon registered a second corporation. Between December 2019 and March 2021, Bevz opened bank accounts for one or both of these companies at nine different banks, including branches in Manhattan.

From November 2019 to at least April 2021, Bevz laundered money from at least two accomplice-operated Internet fraud schemes: a hacking scheme and a vehicle fraud scheme.

The hacking scheme compromised the bank accounts of several companies and sent the proceeds to, among other things, Bevz's accounts. The scam scheme targets victims through online classifieds for the sale of cars, SUVs, motorcycles and boats. The victims were told, among other things, to send money to Bevz's accounts; their money was then withdrawn in cash or transferred to Turkey. The alleged cars, motorcycles and boats were never delivered to the victims.

Bevz controlled at least one other person who similarly opened bank accounts and made transactions with income. Bevz continued to stick to this scheme even after one of the banks prevented him from transferring the money and closed his account.

At least 42 victims lost money as part of the fraud. Among them are individuals whose business and personal savings accounts have been emptied as a result of fraud and couples who have had to postpone retirement.

In addition to jail time, 33-year-old Bevz is to be paid $1 in damages and $044 in damages.