New York city witnesses the first conviction involving cryptocurrencies and Western Union payments
|- Callaway Crain and Mark Sanchez laundered at least $2.8 million from Viagra and steroids sales between 2013 and 2018.
- Bitcoin was defendants laundered through several “intermediary” crypto wallets in order to hide the identity of the sender.
The city of New York has witnessed the very first conviction by a judge involving millions of funds in cryptocurrency as well as Western Union payments. The case that will be tried against the anti-money laundering rules seeks to convict both Callaway Crain and Mark Sanchez who are said to have laundered at least $2.8 million that they earned by selling controlled substances on the internet.
A report says that the two gentlemen, both 35 conducted the activities between $2013 and 2018. They were selling steroids and other products like Viagra around the United States on a website referred to as “NestDayGear”. Some of their sales were carried out on the dark web as well. The two men sold more than 100,000 packages in exchange they received cryptocurrency as well as fiat currencies through the payments giant, Western Union.
The clients were inclined to paying using Bitcoin which the defendants laundered through several “intermediary” crypto wallets in order to hide the identity of the sender. Once Bitcoin was converted to cash the defendants deposited the money in their respective bank accounts.
The payments via Western Union were laundered via identities that were false or sent by wire transfers to accounts outside the US. According to the Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus R. Vance, Jr:
“These defendants raked in crypto and cash worth millions on their full-service website that sold prescription-free counterfeit steroids and other controlled substances to customers in all 50 states.”
Vance continued:
“Online drug sellers who do business in New York should take note: whether you’re operating in plain sight or in hidden corners of the dark web, my Office has the skills and resources to follow the money, shut down your business, and hold you accountable.”
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