Money Laundering Archives

Government Prosecution of Bitcoin Purchases and Transfers

In their simplest form, Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are digital representations of value that can be traded through an exchange and stored in digital wallets secured by 26-35 character long case sensitive account numbers that require a private key, similar to a password or pin to access. Virtual currency is not legal tender issued or guaranteed by any government. Rather, its value is determined by consensus within a community of users. Since these transactions are done on the internet and through exchanges using cash, wire transfers, or credit cards to a host of web-based businesses, the purchasers’ identities and source of funds are more difficult to uncover.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-02-15T11:05:32-04:00March 4th, 2019|Crypto, Money Laundering|0 Comments

What is money laundering?

The term "money laundering" can invoke images of organized crime mobsters engaged in activities such as taking over businesses and using them to hide ill-gotten funds derived from other illegal activities. That may, indeed, be one example of money laundering in practice, but money laundering can include many different kinds of activities some of which may be less obvious than the previous example.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2021-05-25T18:15:33-04:00September 12th, 2016|Money Laundering|0 Comments

What is wire fraud?

The integration of digital communications into the daily lives of many Americans has arguably been one of the drivers behind the increases in worker productivity in this country. But the same technological advances that can boost the profitability of a business or make anything from shopping to banking more convenient can also create opportunities for less savory activities.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2021-05-25T18:16:51-04:00September 12th, 2016|Money Laundering|0 Comments

NJ Money Laundering Corruption Case

The spiritual leader of Syrian Jews in the United States, Brooklyn, New York was sentenced to two years' house arrest in June 2011. They were one of 46 defendants, including three rabbis, charged as a result of a federal sting in New Jersey's biggest corruption case. Originally charged with money laundering, the defendant pled guilty to a reduced charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2021-05-25T18:16:51-04:00September 12th, 2016|Money Laundering, Significant Criminal Defense Cases|0 Comments

International Con and Money Laundering: The Ironies

Over the past several years, there has been increasing concern over the threat of international money laundering operations that allow criminals to move billions of dollars illegally overseas and out of the reach of their victims. Gilbert Chikli is one of the most notorious financial con men to date, godfather of the 'Fake CEO' scam that allowed him to steal more than 8 million Euros from many of the largest corporations in the world. Despite being convicted of fraud among other things, and sentenced to seven years in a French prison, Chikli is still living freely in Israel today.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2023-09-29T18:57:59-04:00September 12th, 2016|Money Laundering|0 Comments