US Man Pleads Responsible to Defrauding Banks and "Main Crypto Change" of over $4M
In a significant development in the world of financial crime and cryptocurrency fraud, Esteban Cabrera Da Corte, a 26-year-old Miami resident, recently admitted guilt in a complex scheme that defrauded US banks and a major cryptocurrency exchange of over $4 million. This case, brought to light by Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, underscores the growing challenges in the digital finance space.
Da Corte, identified as the leader of a Miami-based group, orchestrated this elaborate fraud by utilizing counterfeit US passports, driver’s licenses, and stolen personal data to open fraudulent accounts with a well-known cryptocurrency exchange. This cunning approach allowed him and his associates to operate under the radar, evading initial detection.
The Department of Justice revealed that the group’s modus operandi involved depositing funds into accounts linked to Da Corte and his crew at various Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). These funds were then used to purchase cryptocurrencies from the exchange. The cleverness of the scheme was in its next step: after securing the cryptocurrencies, they were swiftly transferred to digital asset wallets controlled independently, effectively laundering the money through the cryptocurrency network.
The plot thickened when Da Corte and his group contacted their US checking account providers, fabricating stories that the cryptocurrency transactions were unauthorized. This deception led to the banks reversing these transactions, thereby compounding the losses for the financial institutions involved.
The Department of Justice’s statement highlighted the scope of this operation, with US banks processing over $4 million in fraudulent reversals. As a result of these actions, the cryptocurrency exchange suffered a loss of more than $3.5 million in digital assets, a significant hit to its operations and trust in the cryptocurrency market.
In acknowledging his role in this fraudulent scheme, Da Corte pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This plea subjects him to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Additionally, he faces a restitution mandate of approximately $3.6 million and has agreed to forfeit $1.2 million as part of his guilty plea.
US Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the commitment of his office to safeguarding the integrity of U.S. banks and financial markets. This commitment extends to pursuing those who seek to profit from deceit and fraud, particularly those who attempt to exploit the perceived anonymity of digital transactions. Williams’ statement is a stern reminder of the government’s vigilance in protecting the financial system from such sophisticated criminal activities.
This case serves as a stark warning to others who might consider using the digital finance space for illicit activities. It underscores the need for heightened security measures and vigilance by financial institutions, especially in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency. As digital transactions become more commonplace, cases like that of Da Corte’s are likely to become more frequent, posing new challenges for law enforcement and financial regulators.
