COLUMBUS, Ohio – A nationwide money laundering conspiracy involving the proceeds of fraudulent online vehicle sales has led to a significant sentence for one of its leaders.
Leo Shimizu, 39, of San Francisco, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 64 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $10.6 million in restitution for leading the conspiracy.
According to court documents, the online car sales scam cheated at least 850 victims around the country out of more than $10.6 million total.
Shimizu, who is also known as “Lil Droppy,” posted and directed other individuals to post listings on websites like Craigslist and Cars.com for vehicles they were alleging to sell. In truth, the co-conspirators did not have the vehicles they claimed they were selling.
Shimizu and others communicated with victims through email and phone, posing as employees of eBay, and used third parties to open bank accounts in the names of shell corporations that appeared to be affiliated with eBay. They instructed victims to wire funds to various third-party bank accounts they set up. They claimed to be affiliated with eBay’s Buyer Protection Program, when in fact, no such relationship existed.
Shimizu pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiring to commit money laundering.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris recognized the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies in the case. The sentencing was announced by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Leo Shimizu
- Criminal Charges: Conspiring to commit money laundering
- City and State: Columbus, Ohio
- Exact Date: November 2024
- Sentence: 64 months in prison, over $10.6 million in restitution
- Dollar Amount: over $10.6 million
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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