ORLANDO, FLORIDA – A brazen scheme to launder millions of dollars in computer fraud proceeds offshore to Chinese companies has come to a head, with five individuals pleading guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
According to the plea agreements and other court documents, Cristian Rodriguez Labour recruited Jihad William Morales, Michael Gabriel Robles Vazquez, Aramys Gonzalez Rodriguez, and Jorge Ivan Ortiz Buil to incorporate fake businesses in Florida and open business bank accounts in Deltona and Orlando.
The defendants would then direct wire transfers from unnamed conspirators who hacked into the computer systems of small businesses throughout the country to the fake businesses in Florida. Labour, Morales, Robles Vazquez, Gonzalez Rodriguez, and Ortiz Buil would immediately transfer the bulk of the funds to businesses in the Zhejiang, Weifang, Shouguang, Huzhou, and Hangzhou regions of China while withdrawing a portion as payment for their participation in the conspiracy.
Over a two-week period, in early March 2021, Labour and Morales laundered over $560,000 and attempted to launder another $200,000 using a single account in Deltona. From June through November 2021, Labour and Vazquez used three different bank accounts in Orlando to launder $116,000 and attempted to launder $50,000 more. The scheme was designed to conceal the source of the fraud proceeds and to obscure their withdrawals by structuring them to avoid bank reporting requirements.
The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill prosecuting the defendants. The case resulted in the laundering of $3,323,941 to offshore accounts in China and the attempted laundering of another $6,145,877, all of which were the proceeds or attempted proceeds of computer fraud and cyber intrusions on small businesses throughout the United States.
The defendants now face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of structuring. Sentencing dates for the defendants are as follows: Cristian Rodriguez Labour (2/21/24), Jihad William Morales (5/22/24), Michael Gabriel Robles Vazquez (7/10/24), Aramys Gonzalez Rodriguez (7/10/24), and Jorge Ivan Ortiz Buil (7/10/24).
The brazen scheme highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. As Grimy Times continues to investigate this case, one thing is clear: those who engage in such egregious crimes will be held accountable.”
This case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of cybercrime on individuals and businesses. The defendants’ actions not only caused financial harm but also compromised sensitive information and undermined the trust of the public. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
**Defendants’ Information**
Cristian Rodriguez Labour: pleaded guilty on 2/21/24 to count 1 (conspiracy); scheduled sentencing date: TBD.
Jihad William Morales: pleaded guilty on 5/2/24 to counts 1 (conspiracy), 2-8 (money laundering), 9-11 (structuring); scheduled sentencing date: TBD.
Michael Gabriel Robles Vazquez: pleaded guilty on 4/9/24 to counts 1 (conspiracy), 12-14 (money laundering); scheduled sentencing date: 7/10/24.
Aramys Gonzalez Rodriguez: pleaded guilty on 3/25/24 to counts 1 (conspiracy), 15-23 (money laundering), 24-29 (structuring); scheduled sentencing date: 7/10/24.
Jorge Ivan Ortiz Buil: pleaded guilty on 4/9/24 to counts 1 (conspiracy), 30-34 (money laundering), 35 (structuring); scheduled sentencing date: 7/10/24.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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