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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the charging of four individuals for their involvement in a scheme in which they laundered more than $2 million in funds stolen from a pig butchering company. The defendants—identified as Alicia Pilkington, Toan Vu, Thong Dac Ho, and Oleg Ozherelev—were charged with one count of money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the indictment, the four defendants worked together to launder the funds stolen from a pig butchering company in 2018. The indictment alleges that Pilkington and Vu, two former employees of the company, created “shell” companies to divert the money, and then used those companies to make payments to Ho and Ozherelev. The funds were then allegedly moved through numerous accounts in an effort to hide their origin and whereabouts.
The indictment also alleges that Ho and Ozherelev then used the stolen funds to purchase real estate, collectible cars, and luxury goods. The DOJ has frozen numerous bank accounts associated with the defendants, and seized items allegedly purchased with the stolen money, including a Mercedes E63 AMG, a Lexus ES 350, a Tesla Model X, a Rolex watch, two Tag Heuer watches, and three sets of golf clubs.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.
