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Amin Sentenced for BEC Scheme, Beltsville MD, 2019
BELTSVILLE, MD – A Beltsville man is headed to federal prison for nearly eight years after being convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme. Amin, whose full name has not been released by authorities, was sentenced to 87 months on Monday, stemming from a fraud that bilked victims out of over $4.2 million, with attempted losses exceeding $10.9 million.
According to court documents, Amin and his crew targeted at least 13 victims between February 2016 and July 2017. They hijacked email accounts, then impersonated legitimate entities to trick victims into wiring funds to “drop accounts” – fake business accounts created specifically to launder the stolen money. The scheme wasn’t a simple grab-and-run; Amin and his co-conspirators systematically dispersed the illicit funds through electronic transfers, cash withdrawals, and cashier’s checks, attempting to cover their tracks.
Amin didn’t work alone. He partnered closely with Aldrin Fon Fomukong, 24, of Greenbelt, Maryland, known on the streets as “Albanky” and “A.L.”, to carry out the Maryland portion of the scam. But Amin’s reach extended further. He directly communicated with the kingpins of the fraud overseas, recruiting and managing additional co-conspirators, including Yanick Eyong, 26, of Bowie, Maryland, to open and control the fraudulent bank accounts. This allowed them to quickly access and siphon off the victim’s money before authorities could intervene.
The investigation, a joint effort by the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations, has led to the conviction of several individuals. Carlson Cho, 23, of Braintree, Massachusetts, nicknamed “Uncle Tiga2,” received 48 months. Izou Ere Digifa, 22, of Lynchburg, Virginia, also known as “Lzuo Digifa” and “Mimi VA,” and Fomukong remain detained, awaiting sentencing. Ishmail Ganda, 31, of College Park, Maryland, dubbed “Banker TD,” received a comparatively light sentence of 90 days, to be served during his supervised release. Eyong was sentenced to 57 months.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur lauded the work of the Secret Service and HSI, highlighting the complex nature of BEC schemes and the dedication required to bring these criminals to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly O’Connell Hayes prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on evidence presented at sentencing. This case serves as a stark warning: even seemingly sophisticated email security can be bypassed, and anyone can become a target in these increasingly common financial crimes.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests as they continue to trace the flow of funds and identify all those involved in this elaborate scheme. This is yet another example of how federal agencies are working to combat the ever-evolving threat of online fraud and protect American businesses and citizens from financial exploitation.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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