MIAMI, FL – Three members of a brazen Miami-based crew are facing serious federal charges today, accused of running a multi-million dollar scheme that exploited both the cryptocurrency market and the U.S. banking system. ESTEBAN CABRERA DA CORTE, a/k/a “Esteban Cabrera,” a/k/a “Esteban Da Corte,” a/k/a “Steban,” LUIS HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Luis Hernandez,” a/k/a “Luisito,” and ASDRUBAL RAMIREZ MEZA were arrested this morning, facing accusations of stealing over $4 million through a sophisticated fraud operation.
The trio allegedly purchased more than $4 million in cryptocurrency using accounts opened with a leading exchange platform – accounts frequently established with fake U.S. passports, forged driver’s licenses, and, crucially, stolen personal identifying information. They then allegedly flipped the script, filing false claims with U.S. banks, falsely reporting the cryptocurrency purchases as unauthorized transactions. This deceptive tactic convinced banks to reverse the purchases, redepositing funds back into accounts controlled by CABRERA, HERNANDEZ, and RAMIREZ, who promptly withdrew the cash.
“As alleged, Esteban Cabrera Da Corte, Luis Hernandez Gonzalez, and Asdrubal Ramirez Meza used stolen identities to buy cryptocurrency and then doubled down by disputing the transactions, deceiving U.S. banks into believing that they themselves were the victims of someone else’s fraud,” stated U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. The operation wasn’t just about the initial crypto purchase; it was a calculated two-step con designed to maximize illicit gains. Authorities say the cryptocurrency was quickly transferred to wallets beyond the exchange, shielding it from immediate traceability.
HSI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Ricky J. Patel highlighted the scale of the operation. “Cabrera, Hernandez, and Ramirez coordinated this large-scale operation to launder millions of dollars through cryptocurrency exchanges and U.S. banks, ultimately exploiting both the virtual currency market and the U.S. financial system.” The investigation, led by HSI’s El Dorado Task Force, involved close collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service and the Southern District of New York, demonstrating a concerted effort to combat crypto-related financial crimes.
The fallout from the scheme is significant. U.S. banks processed over $4 million in fraudulent reversals, while the Cryptocurrency Exchange suffered losses exceeding $3.5 million in cryptocurrency. The defendants, CABRERA, 26, HERNANDEZ, 23, and RAMIREZ, 34, will be presented in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida to answer to the charges. The indictment details a scheme that spanned from at least 2020 through March 2020, indicating a sustained and deliberate effort to defraud the financial system.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the growing intersection between traditional financial fraud and the emerging world of cryptocurrency. Authorities are increasingly focused on tracking illicit funds flowing through digital currencies, and this bust signals a clear message: exploiting vulnerabilities in the system will not go unpunished. The El Dorado Task Force continues to investigate, and further charges or arrests are possible as the investigation unfolds.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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