GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a shocking case of international cybercrime, a Russian citizen has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for laundering over a million dollars of proceeds of various internet frauds targeting dozens of U.S. citizens and companies.
TARAS ILYICH BEVZ, 33, entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa on November 12, 2019, and immediately began preparing for the corrupt scheme to launder proceeds of various internet frauds. He registered two corporations in New York and opened bank accounts at nine different banks, including in Manhattan bank branches.
BEVZ laundered the proceeds of at least two internet fraud schemes operated by co-conspirators: a hacking scheme and a vehicle fraud scheme. The hacking scheme compromised multiple companies’ bank accounts and sent proceeds to BEVZ’s accounts, among others. The victims were directed to send money to BEVZ’s accounts, among others; their money was then withdrawn by BEVZ as cash or transferred to Turkey, among other destinations.
The victims include vulnerable individuals whose business and personal savings accounts were drained as a result of the fraud, as well as couples who have had to delay retirement. At least 42 victims lost money as part of BEVZ and his co-conspirators’ schemes, including a family who spent $26,500 to purchase an RV to transport an ailing parent cross-country over the holidays that was never delivered.
BEVZ was sentenced to 46 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,044,924 in restitution and forfeit $1,044,924. The case was prosecuted by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit, and the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, was praised by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the sentencing, saying that BEVZ’s illegal journey to America to commit crimes comes to an end with a significant prison sentence. BEVZ’s scheme was sophisticated and far-reaching, targeting dozens of U.S. citizens and companies and leaving them with significant financial losses.
BEVZ’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of international cybercrime and the need for vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes.
At Grimy Times, we will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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