disbursementsalertpay
alertpay 时间:2021-01-12 阅读:()
'UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURTFORTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIAHoldingaCriminal.
TermGrandJurySworninonNovember3,2016CriminalNo.
18-UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA,GrandJuryOriginalv.
MHPILLARSLTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,18u.
s.
c.
§371(Conspiracy);FIROZPATEL,andFERRANPATEL,Defendants.
Case:1:18-cr-00053AssignedTo:JudgeJackson,KetanjiBrownAssign.
Date:3/8/2018Description:INDICTMENT(8)RelatedCase:18-cr-0035(KBJ)TheGrandJurychargesthat:AttimesmaterialtothisIndictment:18U.
S.
C.
§1960(a)(OperatinganUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness);18u.
s.
c.
§1956(h)(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments);D.
C.
Stat.
§26-1001(MoneyTransmittingwithoutaLicense)Forfeiture:18U.
S.
C.
§982(a)(l),21U.
S.
C.
§853(p).
UNDERSEALINDICTMENTBACKGROUNDI.
Thedefendants,FIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,operatedamoneytransmittingbusinessthatoperatedwithoutthenecessarystatelicensesandknowinglytransmittedfundsthatwerederivedfromillegalactivity.
A.
MoneyTransmittingBusinesses2.
Amoneytransmittingbusinesswasonethattransferredfundsonbehalfofthepublicbyanyandallmeans,includingelectronictransferswithintheUnitedStatesortolocationsabroad.
3.
Inmoststatesorjurisdictions,operatingamoneytransmittingbusinesseswithoutalicensewaspunishableasamisdemeanororafelony.
Thefailuretoobtainalicenseinsuchjurisdictionsisafederalfelonyoffense.
UnderDistrictofColumbialaw,moneytransmissionbusinesseshadtoobtainalicensefromtheSuperintendentoftheOfficeofBankingandFinancialInstitutionsoftheDistrictofColumbia,andthefailuretodosowasafelony.
4.
FederallawalsorequiredmoneytransmittingtoberegisteredwiththeFinancialCrimesEnforcementNetwork("FinCEN").
ThefailuretoregisterwithFinCENisafederalfelonyoffense.
5.
Federallawbarredmoneytransmittingbusinessesfromtransmittingfundsthatwereknowntobederivedfromacriminaloffenseorintendedtobeusedtopromoteunlawfulactivity.
B.
FraudulentandCriminalMoneyTransmittingBusinessCustomers6.
Pyramidschemeswerescamsinwhichtheorganizerspromisedthevictimsprofitsbasedprimarilyonrecruitingotherstojointhescheme.
Becauselittleornowealthwascreated,fewornoproductsweresold,minimalornoinvestmentsweremade,andfewornoserviceswereprovided,theschemeseventuallyfailed.
MinimalornoproductMutli-LevelMarketing(a/k/a"MLM")scamsandMoneyCyclerscams(a/k/a"Cyclers")weretypesofpyramidschemes.
27.
APonzischemepurportedtobeaninvestmentopportunity,butpayoutscamealmostexclusivelyfromnewinvestormoneyinsteadofthereturnsoftheunderlyinginvestment,ifany.
Ponzischemesinevitablycollapsedasinvestorsranoutofnewvictimstorecruitandtheunderlyinginvestmentgeneratedinsufficientornorevenuetosustainthescheme.
AHighYieldInvestmentProgram(a/k/a"HYIP")wasatypeofPonzischeme.
C.
TheDefendantsandtheirAssociatedEntities8.
FrominoraboutMarch2012throughthepresent,defendantsFlROZPATELandFERHANPATELowned,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedamoneytransmissionbusiness,co-conspiratorMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPayza(hereinafterco-conspirator"Payza"),whichwasincorporatedintheUnitedKingdom.
9.
DefendantFIROZPATELisaCanadiancitizen.
DefendantFIROZPATELactedastheExecutiveVice-Presidentofco-conspiratorPayzaand,inthatcapacity,hadtheauthoritytobindthecompany.
10.
DefendantFERHANPATELisaCanadiancitizen.
DefendantFERHANPATELactedastheChiefComplianceOfficerofco-conspiratorPayzaand,inthatcapacity,hadtheauthoritytobindthecompany.
11.
Inadditiontoco-conspiratorPayza,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELowned,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedco-conspiratorAlertPayInc.
(hereinafterco-conspirator"AlertPay")andco-conspiratorEcommerceWorldwide,doingbusinessasEgopay,Inc.
(hereinafterco-conspirator"Egopay").
Co-conspiratorsAlertPayandEgopayceasedoperationsinorabout2012and2015respectively.
12.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywerevariouslytouted,throughtheirwebsites,asspecializingine-commerceprocessing,corporatedisbursements,andremittances3forindividualsandbusinessesaroundtheworld.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywereinthebusinessoftransmittingfundsviatheirwebsitesforthepublicthroughouttheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELfailedtoobtainlicensestooperateco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopayintheDistrictofColumbiaandineverystatethatrequiredthemtodoso.
13.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaytransmittedfundsthatdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELknewwerederivedfromcriminaloffenses.
D.
Co-conspiratorPayza'sPredecessor-OperationofCo-conspiratorAlertPay14.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELestablishedco-conspiratorAlertPay,whichwasincorporatedintheUnitedStates,inoraboutMay2005.
FromonoraboutApril2005toMay2012,co-conspiratorAlertPayoperatedasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
15.
RegulatorsfromArkansas,Georgia,Kentucky,NewHampshire,NewYork,andNorthDakotanotifiedco-conspiratorAlertPayaboutitsunlicensedactivityintheirrespectivestates.
16.
In2011,anoutsideconsultantwarneddefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andotherco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,thatco-conspiratorAlertPaywasoperatingillegallywithoutstatelicenses,whichcouldleadtotheirarrest.
17.
Manyofco-conspiratorAlertPay'scustomersusedco-conspiratorAlertPaytotransmitproceedsofcriminalactivities.
E.
OperationofCo-conspiratorPayza18.
Co-conspiratorPayzabegantransmittingmoneyinoraboutMay2012.
AtoraboutthatsametimedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andtheirco-4conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,transitionedco-conspiratorAlertPayaccountstoco-conspiratorPayza.
Thetransitionoccurredinpartbecauseco-conspiratorAlertPayhadbeenrevealedtohavetakenoncustomerstraffickinginchildpornography.
ThetransitionalsooccurredbecauseonJune7,2012,defendantFIROZPATELwasindictedontwocountsofmoneylaunderingassociatedwithhisoperationofco-conspiratorAlertPaytolaunderillicitproceedsderivedfromtheimportationanddistributionofanabolicsteroidsandothercontrolledsubstances.
19.
RegulatorsfromCalifornia,Connecticut,Kansas,Kentucky,NewYork,Ohio,Vermont,andWestVirginiacontactedco-conspiratorPayzaaboutitsunlicensedactivityintheirrespectivestates.
20.
Forexample,theCaliforniaDepartmentofFinancialInstitutionssentco-conspiratorPayzaaletterdatedSeptember13,2012,whichnotifiedco-conspiratorPayzainpertinentpart:"YOUAREHEREBYWARNEDTOCEASEANDDESISTFROMRECEIVINGMONEYINTHISSTATEFORTHEPURPOSEOFTRANSMITTINGTHESAMEORITSEQUIVALENT.
FAILURETODOSOWILLRESULTINAPPROPRIATEACTIONBEINGTAKEN.
"21.
Co-conspiratorPayza'scustomerswereprimarilymerchantsoperatingPonziandPyramidschemes,HighYieldInvestmentPrograms,MoneyCyclers,andMulti-LevelMarketingschemeswithnoproducts,andtherelatedvictimsofsuchschemes.
22.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELknewthatmanyofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomerstransmittedcriminallyderivedproceedsviaco-conspiratorPayza.
Thetransmissionofthesefundspromotedthecontinuationandoperationoftheseunderlyingcriminalschemes.
5F.
OperationofCo-conspiratorEgopay23.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELestablishedco-conspiratorEgopay,whichwasincorporatedinBelize,inoraboutMay2012.
FrominoraboutMay2012toinoraboutJanuary2015,co-conspiratorEgopayoperatedasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
24.
Co-conspiratorEgopayconcealeditstiestodefendantsFlROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andco-conspiratorPayza.
Co-conspiratorEgopaytookonanumberofco-conspiratorPayza'smerchant-customerswhowereoperatingPonziandPyramidschemes,HighYieldInvestmentPrograms,Cyclers,andMulti-LevelMarketingschemeswithnoproducts.
F.
Co-conspiratorPayza'sPartnershipwithObopay,Inc.
25.
Co-conspiratorPayzaenteredintoanagreementwithObopay,Inc.
(hereinafter"Obopay")inanattempttoconcealco-conspiratorPayza'sunlicensedmoneytransmittingactivities.
26.
ObopaywasregisteredwithFinCENasamoneytransmittingbusiness.
Obopaywaslicensedasamoneytransmittingbusinessinvariousstatesatvarioustimes.
27.
OnMarch28,2012,Obopayenteredintoanagreementwithco-conspiratorPayza,whichappointedco-conspiratorPayzaasanauthorizeddelegateofObopay.
lncertainstatesadelegatemayforgoobtainingalicenseiftheparentcompanyhasalicensetooperateasamoneytransmittingbusiness.
28.
Theagreementspecifiedthatco-conspiratorPayzawouldnottakeonasub-delegatesandwouldcomplywithalllegalrequirements,including,butnotlimitedto,statemoneytransmissionlawsandregulationsrelatingtothepreventionofmoneylaundering.
However,co-conspiratorPayzatookonasub-delegate,co-conspiratorEgopay,andco-6conspiratorPayzaillegallycontinuedoperatinginstateswhereObopaydidnothavealicense,therebyvoidingtheagreementwithObopay.
Co-conspiratorPayzaconcealedfromObopaythatco-conspiratorEgopaywasactingasasub-delegateandthatco-conspiratorPayzawasillegallyoperatingwithoutalicenseinnumerousstates.
29.
OnoraboutJune3,2013,Obopaysevereditspartnershipwithco-conspiratorPayza.
30.
Co-conspiratorPayzahascontinuedtooperatesincethen,withoutobtainingtherequiredlicensesfromtherelevantregulators.
COUNTONE(ConspiracytoOperateanUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusiness)31.
Theallegationssetforthinparagraphs1through30ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedandincorporatedbyreferenceherein.
32.
Frominorbefore2011,continuingatleastthroughthedateofthisIndictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,didknowinglycombine,conspire,confederate,andagree,tocommitanoffenseagainsttheUnitedStates,thatistoviolatetheprohibitionagainstunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinessesbyconducting,controlling,managing,supervising,directing,andowningunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinesses,inviolationof18U.
S.
C.
§1960.
TheObjectoftheConspiracy33.
Itwastheobjectoftheconspiracytoconduct,control,manage,supervise,direct,andownmoneytransmittingbusinessesthatoperatedwithouttherequisitelicenses,whichtransmittedfundsthatwereknowntodefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELand'7theirco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,tohavebeenderivedfromunlawfulactivityinordertopromoteandsupportthatunlawfulactivity,inordertobuildthemarketshareandprofitabilityoftheirmoneytransmittingbusinesses,andinordertoenrichdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andtheirco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury.
MannerandMeansItwaspartoftheconspiracythat:34.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithotherco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,knowinglyconspiredtooperateunlicensedmoneytransmissionbusinesseswhichtransmittedover$250,000,000throughouttheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
35.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,establishedandoperatedco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopay,andadditionaloperatingandnomineecompanies,withoutthenecessarylicensestodoso,despitereceivingnoticesfromauthoritiesstatingthattheywererequiredtohavesuchIicenses.
36.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,createdandmaintainedwebsitesfromwhichtheyprovidedmoneytransmissionservicestomillionsofcustomersintheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
Thesewebsitesclaimedtoprovidelegitimatemoneytransmissionservices.
Customerssetupaccountsviathewebsitesthatcouldbeusedtotransfermoneyto,andreceivemoneyfrom,othersforafee.
837.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,openedbankaccountsinthenamesofvariouscompaniesintheUnitedStatesandelsewhere,throughwhichco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywouldtransmitcustomerfundsandtheproceedsgeneratedbytheseunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinesses.
38.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,sought,obtained,andprovidedmoneytransmissionservicestocustomerswhowereengagedincriminalactivities,includingoperatingPonziandpyramidschemes,anddistributionofchildpornographyandcontrolledsubstances.
39.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,attemptedtoconcealtheirconductby,amongotherthings:a.
Creatingcustomerliststhatdidnotincludecustomersofco-conspiratorPayzaknowntobeengagedincriminalactivities;b.
Creatingcustomerliststhatomittedcustomersinjurisdictionswhereco-conspiratorPayzawasoperatingwithoutalicense;c.
Transferringcriminalcustomersfromco-conspiratorAlertPaytoco-conspiratorPayza,andlaterfromco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay;andd.
Hidingco-conspiratorPayza'sconnectiontoco-conspiratorEgopay.
OvertActsinFurtheranceoftheConspiracy40.
Infurtheranceoftheconspiracyandtoeffecttheobjectofsuchconspiracy,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELandco-conspirators,knownandunknownto9theGrandJury,committedthefollowingovertacts,amongothers,intheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere:A.
EstablishmentandOperationofUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusinessesI)InoraboutOctober20II,defendantFERHANPATELinformedaco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorAlertPaywouldnotshutdownoperationintheUnitedStates,inspiteofanoutsideconsultantwarningdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELtoceaseallmoneytransmissionbusiness,becauseoperatingco-conspiratorAlertPaywithoutstatelicenseswasacrime.
2)OnoraboutFebruary2,2012,defendantFERHANPATELpaidtoregisterPayza.
com,whichwasthewebsitecustomersusedtoaccessPayza.
3)InoraboutMay2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedco-conspiratorEgopaytobeincorporatedinBelize.
4)OnoraboutSeptember27,2012,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedcertainco-conspiratorstocollecttransactionaldataforcustomersinthreestatesinwhichco-conspiratorPayzadidnothavealicensetooperate.
5)OnoraboutJanuary8,2013,afterco-conspiratorPayzahadreceivedaceaseanddesistletterfromtheCaliforniaregulator,aco-conspiratorinformedanotherco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorPayzawas"notalicensedmoneytransmitterinCalifornia.
"106)OnoraboutApril6,2013,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortosharewithObopayonlyco-conspiratorPayza'stransactionaldataforthestateswhereObopaywaslicensed.
7)OnoraboutMayI,2013,aco-conspiratorinformedanotherco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorEgopaywasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
8)OnoraboutMayI0,2013,aco-conspiratorinformeddefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELthatObopayhad"officiallyaskedthatweceaseactivityinstateswheretheyareunlicensed.
"9)OnoraboutMay29,2103,defendantFERHANPATELinformeddefendantFIROZPATELthatco-conspiratorEgopaywas"notlicensedanywhere.
"8.
TransmissionofCriminallyDerivedFundsandConcealmentofSuchActivitiesIO)OnoraboutJuly15,2012,defendantFIROZPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortoprovidealistofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomersthatpursl,lanttodefendantFIROZPATEL'sandcertainco-conspirators'instructionshadmovedfromco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay.
11)OnoraboutJuly17,2012,defendantsFIROZPATEL,FERHANPATEL,andcertainco-conspiratorsexchangeddraftcorrespondencedirectingco-conspiratorPayza'shigh-riskandcriminalcustomerstotransitiontheiraccountsmaintainedatco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay.
1112)OnoraboutJuly20,2012,defendantFIROZPATELapprovedaco-conspirator'srequesttotransfer$1,500,000fromPonziSchemeI'saccountatco-conspiratorPayzatoanaccountatco-conspiratorEgopay.
13)OnoraboutDecember20,2012,defendantFERHANPATELinformedaco-conspiratorthatdefendantFERHANPATELandco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,hadbeenreferringHighYieldInvestmentProgramstoco-conspiratorEgopay.
14)OnFebruaryI,2013,aco-conspiratorrequestedanotherco-conspiratortoproducea"heavilysanitized"listofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomers,taking"outanythingpharma,adult,mlm(onlyselecthighendmlm).
"15)OnMarch27,2013,defendantFERHANPATELinformeddefendantFIROZPATELthatco-conspiratorEgopayfailedtoconductrequiredcustomerduediligence,whichcreated"obviouslaunderingconcerns.
"16)OnoraboutApril5,2013,defendantFERHANPATELstatedtoaco-conspiratorthattwohigh-riskmerchantsshouldnotbeincludedinacustomertransactionalreportco-conspiratorPayzawassendingtoObopay.
17)OnoraboutMay31,2013,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortoprovidea"cleanedupmerchantlist,"with"[n]othingsketchyinthereplease.
"18)OnoraboutMay31,2013,aco-conspiratorinformeddefendantFERHANPATELthattheco-conspiratorwasgoingthroughthemerchantlist"toidentifyanymerchantswhohavegrossviolationssuchasadult,gambling,12drugs,violenceetc.
AndwhatIthinkisthetrickypart:IdentifyMLM'sthataresetupasobviousillegalPyramidschemes.
"C.
SampleFinancialTransactionsConductedbyCertainCo-conspirators19)OnoraboutJuly12,20I1,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2512tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofacompanyassociatedwithco-conspiratorAlertPay.
20)OnoraboutSeptember9,2011,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4251tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofathird-partycompanycontrolledbydefendantFIROZPATEL.
21)OnoraboutMay18,2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx5648tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofacompanyassociatedwithco-conspiratorPayza.
22)OnoraboutJuly24,2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofathird-partycompanycontrolledbydefendantFIROZPATEL.
23)OnoraboutSeptember5,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedthebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2512locatedintheUnitedStatestowire$9,000,000.
00toabankaccountlocatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL.
24)OnoraboutNovember15,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedthebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStatestowire$4,000,000.
00toabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx9940locatedin13Canada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL.
25)OnoraboutDecember3,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$7,999,990.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2008locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
26)OnoraboutJanuary23,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$1,310,234.
31tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2008locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx5648locatedintheUnitedStates.
27)OnoraboutApril15,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$1,699,975.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4713locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
28)OnoraboutMay1,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$599,975.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4713locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
1429)OnoraboutJanuary28,2014,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$248,700.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2564locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx425llocatedintheUnitedStates.
D.
SampleTransactionsofCustomersTransmittingFunds30)OnoraboutJanuary10,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$100.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
31)OnoraboutMarch7,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$200.
00fromacustomerwithoutaverifiedaddresstoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
32)OnoraboutSeptember19,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$10.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
33)OnoraboutSeptember20,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$12,053.
00fromacustomerinGeorgiatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
34)OnoraboutDecember12,2012,afterco-conspiratorPayzahadreceivedaceaseanddesistletterfromCalifornia,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$10,500.
00fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
1535)OnoraboutMarch6,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$19.
12fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
36)OnoraboutJune24,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$15,000.
00fromacustomerinNewYorktoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
37)OnoraboutJanuary29,2015,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$300.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
38)OnoraboutMarch9,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$2,966.
40fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
39)OnoraboutMarch13,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$1,000.
66fromacustomerinPennsylvaniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
40)OnoraboutMarch22,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$260.
77fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
41)OnoraboutApril6,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$937.
18fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
1642)OnoraboutApril18,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$444.
96fromacustomerinKansastoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
43)OnoraboutJune28,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$208.
74fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
44)OnoraboutJuly12,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$4,839.
52fromacustomerinNewYorktoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
45)OnoraboutJuly16,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$273.
26fromacustomerwithoutaverifiedaddresstoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
46)OnoraboutJuly20,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$1,353.
43fromacustomerinPennsylvaniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
47)OnoraboutApril26,2017,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$I09.
20fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
48)OnoraboutMayI0,2017,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$98.
00fromanagentactinginanundercovercapacityinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
(ConspiracytoCommitanOffenseAgainsttheUnitedStates,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section371)17COUNTTWO(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments)41.
ParagraphsIthrough30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
42.
Frominorbefore2011,continuingthroughthedateofthisindictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,thedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,didknowinglycombine,conspire,confederate,andagree,toviolateTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,SectionI956(h).
TheObjectoftheConspiracy43.
ItwastheobjectoftheconspiracyfordefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,toviolateTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,SectionI956(a)(2)(A),thatis,bytransporting,transmitting,ortransferring,orattemptingtotransport,transmit,ortransferamonetaryinstrumentorfundsfromaplaceintheUnitedStatestoorthroughaplaceoutsidetheUnitedStates,thatisCanadaandothercountries,andtoaplaceintheUnitedStatesfromorthroughaplaceoutsidetheUnitedStates,thatisCanadaandothercountries,withtheintenttopromotethecarryingonofspecifiedunlawfulactivity,thatis,anoffenseunderSection1960,relatingtoillegalmoneytransmitters,andanoffenseunderSection1343,relatingtowirefraud.
(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section1956(h)).
18#COUNTTHREE(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusiness)44.
ParagraphsIthrough30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
45.
FrominorbeforeMay2012,continuingthroughthedateofthisindictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,thedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,knowinglyconducted,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness,thatis,MHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,whichaffectedinterstateandforeigncommerceinanymannerordegree.
46.
ThedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,operatedMHPILLAR'S,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZAwithoutobtaininganappropriatemoneytransmittinglicenseintheDistrictofColumbia,wheresuchoperationwaspunishableasamisdemeanororafelony.
47.
ThedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,transportedandtransmittedfundsthatwereknowntothedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,tohavebeenderivedfromacriminaloffenseandwereintendedtobeusedtopromoteandsupportunlawfulactivity.
(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section1960(a))COUNTFOUR(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness)48.
Paragraphs1through30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
49.
FrominoraboutJanuary2011,continuingatleastthroughthedateofthisIndictment,withintheDistrictofColumbia,thedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,19did,withoutobtainingalicenseissuedbytheSuperintendentoftheOfficeofBankingandFinancialInstitutionsoftheDistrictofColumbia,engageinthebusinessofreceivingmoneyfortransmissionandtransmittingmoneywithintheUnitedStates,andtolocationsabroad,byanyandallmeans,includingbutnotlimitedtowireandelectronictransfer.
(MoneyTransmissionwithoutaLicense,inviolationof26-1002oftheD.
C.
Code)FORFEITUREALLEGATION1.
UponconvictionofanyoftheoffensesallegedinCountsOne,Twoand/orThree,thedefendantsshallforfeittotheUnitedStatesanyproperty,realorpersonal,involvedintheseoffenses,andanypropertytraceabletosuchproperty,pursuantto18U.
S.
C.
§982(a)(I).
TheUnitedStateswillseekaforfeituremoneyjudgmentagainstthedefendantsequaltothevalueofanyproperty,realorpersonal,involvedinCountsOne,TwoandThree,andanypropertytraceabletosuchproperty.
2.
Thegrandjuryfindsbyprobablecausethatthespecificpropertysubjecttoforfeitureincludes:a.
$4,000,100ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutNovember2013;b.
$100,000ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutFebruary2014;c.
$250,000ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutJune2016;d.
allfundsrestrainedonoraboutDecember2016intheUnitedKingdomfromanaccountatGlobalReachPartnersrelatedtoPayza;e.
allfundsrestrainedonoraboutJune2017intheUnitedKingdom·fromanaccountatHSBCbankrelatedtoPayza;f.
thePayza.
comdomain;andg.
theAlertPay.
comdomain3.
Ifanyofthepropertydescribedaboveasbeingsubjecttoforfeiture,asaresultofanyactoromissionofthedefendants:20a.
cannotbelocatedupontheexerciseofduediligence;b.
hasbeentransferredorsoldto,ordepositedwith,athirdparty;c.
hasbeenplacedbeyondthejurisdictionoftheCourt;d.
hasbeensubstantiallydiminishedinvalue;ore.
hasbeencommingledwithotherpropertythatcannotbedividedwithoutdifficulty;thedefendantsshallforfeittotheUnitedStatesanyotherpropertyofthedefendants,uptothevalueofthepropertydescribedabove,pursuantto21U.
S.
C.
§853(p).
(CriminalForfeiture,pursuanttoTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section982(a)(l);andTitle21,UnitedStatesCode,Section853(p)).
AttorneyoftheUnitedStatesinandfortheDistrictofColumbia21ATRUEBILLFOREPERSON3,~lb
TermGrandJurySworninonNovember3,2016CriminalNo.
18-UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA,GrandJuryOriginalv.
MHPILLARSLTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,18u.
s.
c.
§371(Conspiracy);FIROZPATEL,andFERRANPATEL,Defendants.
Case:1:18-cr-00053AssignedTo:JudgeJackson,KetanjiBrownAssign.
Date:3/8/2018Description:INDICTMENT(8)RelatedCase:18-cr-0035(KBJ)TheGrandJurychargesthat:AttimesmaterialtothisIndictment:18U.
S.
C.
§1960(a)(OperatinganUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness);18u.
s.
c.
§1956(h)(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments);D.
C.
Stat.
§26-1001(MoneyTransmittingwithoutaLicense)Forfeiture:18U.
S.
C.
§982(a)(l),21U.
S.
C.
§853(p).
UNDERSEALINDICTMENTBACKGROUNDI.
Thedefendants,FIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,operatedamoneytransmittingbusinessthatoperatedwithoutthenecessarystatelicensesandknowinglytransmittedfundsthatwerederivedfromillegalactivity.
A.
MoneyTransmittingBusinesses2.
Amoneytransmittingbusinesswasonethattransferredfundsonbehalfofthepublicbyanyandallmeans,includingelectronictransferswithintheUnitedStatesortolocationsabroad.
3.
Inmoststatesorjurisdictions,operatingamoneytransmittingbusinesseswithoutalicensewaspunishableasamisdemeanororafelony.
Thefailuretoobtainalicenseinsuchjurisdictionsisafederalfelonyoffense.
UnderDistrictofColumbialaw,moneytransmissionbusinesseshadtoobtainalicensefromtheSuperintendentoftheOfficeofBankingandFinancialInstitutionsoftheDistrictofColumbia,andthefailuretodosowasafelony.
4.
FederallawalsorequiredmoneytransmittingtoberegisteredwiththeFinancialCrimesEnforcementNetwork("FinCEN").
ThefailuretoregisterwithFinCENisafederalfelonyoffense.
5.
Federallawbarredmoneytransmittingbusinessesfromtransmittingfundsthatwereknowntobederivedfromacriminaloffenseorintendedtobeusedtopromoteunlawfulactivity.
B.
FraudulentandCriminalMoneyTransmittingBusinessCustomers6.
Pyramidschemeswerescamsinwhichtheorganizerspromisedthevictimsprofitsbasedprimarilyonrecruitingotherstojointhescheme.
Becauselittleornowealthwascreated,fewornoproductsweresold,minimalornoinvestmentsweremade,andfewornoserviceswereprovided,theschemeseventuallyfailed.
MinimalornoproductMutli-LevelMarketing(a/k/a"MLM")scamsandMoneyCyclerscams(a/k/a"Cyclers")weretypesofpyramidschemes.
27.
APonzischemepurportedtobeaninvestmentopportunity,butpayoutscamealmostexclusivelyfromnewinvestormoneyinsteadofthereturnsoftheunderlyinginvestment,ifany.
Ponzischemesinevitablycollapsedasinvestorsranoutofnewvictimstorecruitandtheunderlyinginvestmentgeneratedinsufficientornorevenuetosustainthescheme.
AHighYieldInvestmentProgram(a/k/a"HYIP")wasatypeofPonzischeme.
C.
TheDefendantsandtheirAssociatedEntities8.
FrominoraboutMarch2012throughthepresent,defendantsFlROZPATELandFERHANPATELowned,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedamoneytransmissionbusiness,co-conspiratorMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPayza(hereinafterco-conspirator"Payza"),whichwasincorporatedintheUnitedKingdom.
9.
DefendantFIROZPATELisaCanadiancitizen.
DefendantFIROZPATELactedastheExecutiveVice-Presidentofco-conspiratorPayzaand,inthatcapacity,hadtheauthoritytobindthecompany.
10.
DefendantFERHANPATELisaCanadiancitizen.
DefendantFERHANPATELactedastheChiefComplianceOfficerofco-conspiratorPayzaand,inthatcapacity,hadtheauthoritytobindthecompany.
11.
Inadditiontoco-conspiratorPayza,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELowned,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedco-conspiratorAlertPayInc.
(hereinafterco-conspirator"AlertPay")andco-conspiratorEcommerceWorldwide,doingbusinessasEgopay,Inc.
(hereinafterco-conspirator"Egopay").
Co-conspiratorsAlertPayandEgopayceasedoperationsinorabout2012and2015respectively.
12.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywerevariouslytouted,throughtheirwebsites,asspecializingine-commerceprocessing,corporatedisbursements,andremittances3forindividualsandbusinessesaroundtheworld.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywereinthebusinessoftransmittingfundsviatheirwebsitesforthepublicthroughouttheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELfailedtoobtainlicensestooperateco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopayintheDistrictofColumbiaandineverystatethatrequiredthemtodoso.
13.
Co-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaytransmittedfundsthatdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELknewwerederivedfromcriminaloffenses.
D.
Co-conspiratorPayza'sPredecessor-OperationofCo-conspiratorAlertPay14.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELestablishedco-conspiratorAlertPay,whichwasincorporatedintheUnitedStates,inoraboutMay2005.
FromonoraboutApril2005toMay2012,co-conspiratorAlertPayoperatedasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
15.
RegulatorsfromArkansas,Georgia,Kentucky,NewHampshire,NewYork,andNorthDakotanotifiedco-conspiratorAlertPayaboutitsunlicensedactivityintheirrespectivestates.
16.
In2011,anoutsideconsultantwarneddefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andotherco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,thatco-conspiratorAlertPaywasoperatingillegallywithoutstatelicenses,whichcouldleadtotheirarrest.
17.
Manyofco-conspiratorAlertPay'scustomersusedco-conspiratorAlertPaytotransmitproceedsofcriminalactivities.
E.
OperationofCo-conspiratorPayza18.
Co-conspiratorPayzabegantransmittingmoneyinoraboutMay2012.
AtoraboutthatsametimedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andtheirco-4conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,transitionedco-conspiratorAlertPayaccountstoco-conspiratorPayza.
Thetransitionoccurredinpartbecauseco-conspiratorAlertPayhadbeenrevealedtohavetakenoncustomerstraffickinginchildpornography.
ThetransitionalsooccurredbecauseonJune7,2012,defendantFIROZPATELwasindictedontwocountsofmoneylaunderingassociatedwithhisoperationofco-conspiratorAlertPaytolaunderillicitproceedsderivedfromtheimportationanddistributionofanabolicsteroidsandothercontrolledsubstances.
19.
RegulatorsfromCalifornia,Connecticut,Kansas,Kentucky,NewYork,Ohio,Vermont,andWestVirginiacontactedco-conspiratorPayzaaboutitsunlicensedactivityintheirrespectivestates.
20.
Forexample,theCaliforniaDepartmentofFinancialInstitutionssentco-conspiratorPayzaaletterdatedSeptember13,2012,whichnotifiedco-conspiratorPayzainpertinentpart:"YOUAREHEREBYWARNEDTOCEASEANDDESISTFROMRECEIVINGMONEYINTHISSTATEFORTHEPURPOSEOFTRANSMITTINGTHESAMEORITSEQUIVALENT.
FAILURETODOSOWILLRESULTINAPPROPRIATEACTIONBEINGTAKEN.
"21.
Co-conspiratorPayza'scustomerswereprimarilymerchantsoperatingPonziandPyramidschemes,HighYieldInvestmentPrograms,MoneyCyclers,andMulti-LevelMarketingschemeswithnoproducts,andtherelatedvictimsofsuchschemes.
22.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELknewthatmanyofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomerstransmittedcriminallyderivedproceedsviaco-conspiratorPayza.
Thetransmissionofthesefundspromotedthecontinuationandoperationoftheseunderlyingcriminalschemes.
5F.
OperationofCo-conspiratorEgopay23.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELestablishedco-conspiratorEgopay,whichwasincorporatedinBelize,inoraboutMay2012.
FrominoraboutMay2012toinoraboutJanuary2015,co-conspiratorEgopayoperatedasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
24.
Co-conspiratorEgopayconcealeditstiestodefendantsFlROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andco-conspiratorPayza.
Co-conspiratorEgopaytookonanumberofco-conspiratorPayza'smerchant-customerswhowereoperatingPonziandPyramidschemes,HighYieldInvestmentPrograms,Cyclers,andMulti-LevelMarketingschemeswithnoproducts.
F.
Co-conspiratorPayza'sPartnershipwithObopay,Inc.
25.
Co-conspiratorPayzaenteredintoanagreementwithObopay,Inc.
(hereinafter"Obopay")inanattempttoconcealco-conspiratorPayza'sunlicensedmoneytransmittingactivities.
26.
ObopaywasregisteredwithFinCENasamoneytransmittingbusiness.
Obopaywaslicensedasamoneytransmittingbusinessinvariousstatesatvarioustimes.
27.
OnMarch28,2012,Obopayenteredintoanagreementwithco-conspiratorPayza,whichappointedco-conspiratorPayzaasanauthorizeddelegateofObopay.
lncertainstatesadelegatemayforgoobtainingalicenseiftheparentcompanyhasalicensetooperateasamoneytransmittingbusiness.
28.
Theagreementspecifiedthatco-conspiratorPayzawouldnottakeonasub-delegatesandwouldcomplywithalllegalrequirements,including,butnotlimitedto,statemoneytransmissionlawsandregulationsrelatingtothepreventionofmoneylaundering.
However,co-conspiratorPayzatookonasub-delegate,co-conspiratorEgopay,andco-6conspiratorPayzaillegallycontinuedoperatinginstateswhereObopaydidnothavealicense,therebyvoidingtheagreementwithObopay.
Co-conspiratorPayzaconcealedfromObopaythatco-conspiratorEgopaywasactingasasub-delegateandthatco-conspiratorPayzawasillegallyoperatingwithoutalicenseinnumerousstates.
29.
OnoraboutJune3,2013,Obopaysevereditspartnershipwithco-conspiratorPayza.
30.
Co-conspiratorPayzahascontinuedtooperatesincethen,withoutobtainingtherequiredlicensesfromtherelevantregulators.
COUNTONE(ConspiracytoOperateanUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusiness)31.
Theallegationssetforthinparagraphs1through30ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedandincorporatedbyreferenceherein.
32.
Frominorbefore2011,continuingatleastthroughthedateofthisIndictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,didknowinglycombine,conspire,confederate,andagree,tocommitanoffenseagainsttheUnitedStates,thatistoviolatetheprohibitionagainstunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinessesbyconducting,controlling,managing,supervising,directing,andowningunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinesses,inviolationof18U.
S.
C.
§1960.
TheObjectoftheConspiracy33.
Itwastheobjectoftheconspiracytoconduct,control,manage,supervise,direct,andownmoneytransmittingbusinessesthatoperatedwithouttherequisitelicenses,whichtransmittedfundsthatwereknowntodefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELand'7theirco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,tohavebeenderivedfromunlawfulactivityinordertopromoteandsupportthatunlawfulactivity,inordertobuildthemarketshareandprofitabilityoftheirmoneytransmittingbusinesses,andinordertoenrichdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,andtheirco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury.
MannerandMeansItwaspartoftheconspiracythat:34.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithotherco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,knowinglyconspiredtooperateunlicensedmoneytransmissionbusinesseswhichtransmittedover$250,000,000throughouttheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
35.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,establishedandoperatedco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopay,andadditionaloperatingandnomineecompanies,withoutthenecessarylicensestodoso,despitereceivingnoticesfromauthoritiesstatingthattheywererequiredtohavesuchIicenses.
36.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,createdandmaintainedwebsitesfromwhichtheyprovidedmoneytransmissionservicestomillionsofcustomersintheUnitedStatesandelsewhere.
Thesewebsitesclaimedtoprovidelegitimatemoneytransmissionservices.
Customerssetupaccountsviathewebsitesthatcouldbeusedtotransfermoneyto,andreceivemoneyfrom,othersforafee.
837.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,openedbankaccountsinthenamesofvariouscompaniesintheUnitedStatesandelsewhere,throughwhichco-conspiratorsPayza,AlertPay,andEgopaywouldtransmitcustomerfundsandtheproceedsgeneratedbytheseunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusinesses.
38.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,sought,obtained,andprovidedmoneytransmissionservicestocustomerswhowereengagedincriminalactivities,includingoperatingPonziandpyramidschemes,anddistributionofchildpornographyandcontrolledsubstances.
39.
DefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,attemptedtoconcealtheirconductby,amongotherthings:a.
Creatingcustomerliststhatdidnotincludecustomersofco-conspiratorPayzaknowntobeengagedincriminalactivities;b.
Creatingcustomerliststhatomittedcustomersinjurisdictionswhereco-conspiratorPayzawasoperatingwithoutalicense;c.
Transferringcriminalcustomersfromco-conspiratorAlertPaytoco-conspiratorPayza,andlaterfromco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay;andd.
Hidingco-conspiratorPayza'sconnectiontoco-conspiratorEgopay.
OvertActsinFurtheranceoftheConspiracy40.
Infurtheranceoftheconspiracyandtoeffecttheobjectofsuchconspiracy,defendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELandco-conspirators,knownandunknownto9theGrandJury,committedthefollowingovertacts,amongothers,intheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere:A.
EstablishmentandOperationofUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusinessesI)InoraboutOctober20II,defendantFERHANPATELinformedaco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorAlertPaywouldnotshutdownoperationintheUnitedStates,inspiteofanoutsideconsultantwarningdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELtoceaseallmoneytransmissionbusiness,becauseoperatingco-conspiratorAlertPaywithoutstatelicenseswasacrime.
2)OnoraboutFebruary2,2012,defendantFERHANPATELpaidtoregisterPayza.
com,whichwasthewebsitecustomersusedtoaccessPayza.
3)InoraboutMay2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedco-conspiratorEgopaytobeincorporatedinBelize.
4)OnoraboutSeptember27,2012,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedcertainco-conspiratorstocollecttransactionaldataforcustomersinthreestatesinwhichco-conspiratorPayzadidnothavealicensetooperate.
5)OnoraboutJanuary8,2013,afterco-conspiratorPayzahadreceivedaceaseanddesistletterfromtheCaliforniaregulator,aco-conspiratorinformedanotherco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorPayzawas"notalicensedmoneytransmitterinCalifornia.
"106)OnoraboutApril6,2013,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortosharewithObopayonlyco-conspiratorPayza'stransactionaldataforthestateswhereObopaywaslicensed.
7)OnoraboutMayI,2013,aco-conspiratorinformedanotherco-conspiratorthatco-conspiratorEgopaywasanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness.
8)OnoraboutMayI0,2013,aco-conspiratorinformeddefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATELthatObopayhad"officiallyaskedthatweceaseactivityinstateswheretheyareunlicensed.
"9)OnoraboutMay29,2103,defendantFERHANPATELinformeddefendantFIROZPATELthatco-conspiratorEgopaywas"notlicensedanywhere.
"8.
TransmissionofCriminallyDerivedFundsandConcealmentofSuchActivitiesIO)OnoraboutJuly15,2012,defendantFIROZPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortoprovidealistofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomersthatpursl,lanttodefendantFIROZPATEL'sandcertainco-conspirators'instructionshadmovedfromco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay.
11)OnoraboutJuly17,2012,defendantsFIROZPATEL,FERHANPATEL,andcertainco-conspiratorsexchangeddraftcorrespondencedirectingco-conspiratorPayza'shigh-riskandcriminalcustomerstotransitiontheiraccountsmaintainedatco-conspiratorPayzatoco-conspiratorEgopay.
1112)OnoraboutJuly20,2012,defendantFIROZPATELapprovedaco-conspirator'srequesttotransfer$1,500,000fromPonziSchemeI'saccountatco-conspiratorPayzatoanaccountatco-conspiratorEgopay.
13)OnoraboutDecember20,2012,defendantFERHANPATELinformedaco-conspiratorthatdefendantFERHANPATELandco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,hadbeenreferringHighYieldInvestmentProgramstoco-conspiratorEgopay.
14)OnFebruaryI,2013,aco-conspiratorrequestedanotherco-conspiratortoproducea"heavilysanitized"listofco-conspiratorPayza'scustomers,taking"outanythingpharma,adult,mlm(onlyselecthighendmlm).
"15)OnMarch27,2013,defendantFERHANPATELinformeddefendantFIROZPATELthatco-conspiratorEgopayfailedtoconductrequiredcustomerduediligence,whichcreated"obviouslaunderingconcerns.
"16)OnoraboutApril5,2013,defendantFERHANPATELstatedtoaco-conspiratorthattwohigh-riskmerchantsshouldnotbeincludedinacustomertransactionalreportco-conspiratorPayzawassendingtoObopay.
17)OnoraboutMay31,2013,defendantFERHANPATELdirectedaco-conspiratortoprovidea"cleanedupmerchantlist,"with"[n]othingsketchyinthereplease.
"18)OnoraboutMay31,2013,aco-conspiratorinformeddefendantFERHANPATELthattheco-conspiratorwasgoingthroughthemerchantlist"toidentifyanymerchantswhohavegrossviolationssuchasadult,gambling,12drugs,violenceetc.
AndwhatIthinkisthetrickypart:IdentifyMLM'sthataresetupasobviousillegalPyramidschemes.
"C.
SampleFinancialTransactionsConductedbyCertainCo-conspirators19)OnoraboutJuly12,20I1,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2512tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofacompanyassociatedwithco-conspiratorAlertPay.
20)OnoraboutSeptember9,2011,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4251tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofathird-partycompanycontrolledbydefendantFIROZPATEL.
21)OnoraboutMay18,2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx5648tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofacompanyassociatedwithco-conspiratorPayza.
22)OnoraboutJuly24,2012,defendantFIROZPATELcausedabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343tobeopenedintheUnitedStatesinthenameofathird-partycompanycontrolledbydefendantFIROZPATEL.
23)OnoraboutSeptember5,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedthebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2512locatedintheUnitedStatestowire$9,000,000.
00toabankaccountlocatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL.
24)OnoraboutNovember15,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedthebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStatestowire$4,000,000.
00toabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx9940locatedin13Canada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL.
25)OnoraboutDecember3,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$7,999,990.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2008locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
26)OnoraboutJanuary23,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$1,310,234.
31tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2008locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx5648locatedintheUnitedStates.
27)OnoraboutApril15,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$1,699,975.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4713locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
28)OnoraboutMay1,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$599,975.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx4713locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2343locatedintheUnitedStates.
1429)OnoraboutJanuary28,2014,co-conspiratorPayzacaused$248,700.
00tobewiredfromabankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx2564locatedinCanada,whichwasassociatedwithdefendantFERHANPATEL,tothebankaccountendinginxxxxxxxx425llocatedintheUnitedStates.
D.
SampleTransactionsofCustomersTransmittingFunds30)OnoraboutJanuary10,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$100.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
31)OnoraboutMarch7,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$200.
00fromacustomerwithoutaverifiedaddresstoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
32)OnoraboutSeptember19,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$10.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
33)OnoraboutSeptember20,2012,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$12,053.
00fromacustomerinGeorgiatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
34)OnoraboutDecember12,2012,afterco-conspiratorPayzahadreceivedaceaseanddesistletterfromCalifornia,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$10,500.
00fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
1535)OnoraboutMarch6,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$19.
12fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
36)OnoraboutJune24,2013,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$15,000.
00fromacustomerinNewYorktoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
37)OnoraboutJanuary29,2015,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$300.
00fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
38)OnoraboutMarch9,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$2,966.
40fromacustomerinCaliforniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
39)OnoraboutMarch13,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$1,000.
66fromacustomerinPennsylvaniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
40)OnoraboutMarch22,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$260.
77fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
41)OnoraboutApril6,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$937.
18fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
1642)OnoraboutApril18,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$444.
96fromacustomerinKansastoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
43)OnoraboutJune28,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$208.
74fromacustomerinVermonttoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
44)OnoraboutJuly12,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$4,839.
52fromacustomerinNewYorktoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
45)OnoraboutJuly16,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$273.
26fromacustomerwithoutaverifiedaddresstoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
46)OnoraboutJuly20,2016,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$1,353.
43fromacustomerinPennsylvaniatoanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
47)OnoraboutApril26,2017,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$I09.
20fromacustomerinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
48)OnoraboutMayI0,2017,co-conspiratorPayzacausedatransferofapproximately$98.
00fromanagentactinginanundercovercapacityinWashington,D.
C.
,toanotherco-conspiratorPayzaaccount.
(ConspiracytoCommitanOffenseAgainsttheUnitedStates,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section371)17COUNTTWO(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments)41.
ParagraphsIthrough30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
42.
Frominorbefore2011,continuingthroughthedateofthisindictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,thedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,didknowinglycombine,conspire,confederate,andagree,toviolateTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,SectionI956(h).
TheObjectoftheConspiracy43.
ItwastheobjectoftheconspiracyfordefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,togetherwithco-conspirators,knownandunknowntotheGrandJury,toviolateTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,SectionI956(a)(2)(A),thatis,bytransporting,transmitting,ortransferring,orattemptingtotransport,transmit,ortransferamonetaryinstrumentorfundsfromaplaceintheUnitedStatestoorthroughaplaceoutsidetheUnitedStates,thatisCanadaandothercountries,andtoaplaceintheUnitedStatesfromorthroughaplaceoutsidetheUnitedStates,thatisCanadaandothercountries,withtheintenttopromotethecarryingonofspecifiedunlawfulactivity,thatis,anoffenseunderSection1960,relatingtoillegalmoneytransmitters,andanoffenseunderSection1343,relatingtowirefraud.
(ConspiracytoLaunderMonetaryInstruments,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section1956(h)).
18#COUNTTHREE(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmittingBusiness)44.
ParagraphsIthrough30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
45.
FrominorbeforeMay2012,continuingthroughthedateofthisindictment,withintheDistrictofColumbiaandelsewhere,thedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,knowinglyconducted,controlled,managed,supervised,anddirectedanunlicensedmoneytransmittingbusiness,thatis,MHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,whichaffectedinterstateandforeigncommerceinanymannerordegree.
46.
ThedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,operatedMHPILLAR'S,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZAwithoutobtaininganappropriatemoneytransmittinglicenseintheDistrictofColumbia,wheresuchoperationwaspunishableasamisdemeanororafelony.
47.
ThedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,transportedandtransmittedfundsthatwereknowntothedefendantMHPILLARS,LTD.
,doingbusinessasPAYZA,tohavebeenderivedfromacriminaloffenseandwereintendedtobeusedtopromoteandsupportunlawfulactivity.
(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness,inviolationofTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section1960(a))COUNTFOUR(OperationofanUnlicensedMoneyTransmissionBusiness)48.
Paragraphs1through30and34through40ofthisIndictmentarere-allegedasiffullysetforthherein.
49.
FrominoraboutJanuary2011,continuingatleastthroughthedateofthisIndictment,withintheDistrictofColumbia,thedefendantsFIROZPATELandFERHANPATEL,19did,withoutobtainingalicenseissuedbytheSuperintendentoftheOfficeofBankingandFinancialInstitutionsoftheDistrictofColumbia,engageinthebusinessofreceivingmoneyfortransmissionandtransmittingmoneywithintheUnitedStates,andtolocationsabroad,byanyandallmeans,includingbutnotlimitedtowireandelectronictransfer.
(MoneyTransmissionwithoutaLicense,inviolationof26-1002oftheD.
C.
Code)FORFEITUREALLEGATION1.
UponconvictionofanyoftheoffensesallegedinCountsOne,Twoand/orThree,thedefendantsshallforfeittotheUnitedStatesanyproperty,realorpersonal,involvedintheseoffenses,andanypropertytraceabletosuchproperty,pursuantto18U.
S.
C.
§982(a)(I).
TheUnitedStateswillseekaforfeituremoneyjudgmentagainstthedefendantsequaltothevalueofanyproperty,realorpersonal,involvedinCountsOne,TwoandThree,andanypropertytraceabletosuchproperty.
2.
Thegrandjuryfindsbyprobablecausethatthespecificpropertysubjecttoforfeitureincludes:a.
$4,000,100ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutNovember2013;b.
$100,000ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutFebruary2014;c.
$250,000ofPayzafundsseizedonoraboutJune2016;d.
allfundsrestrainedonoraboutDecember2016intheUnitedKingdomfromanaccountatGlobalReachPartnersrelatedtoPayza;e.
allfundsrestrainedonoraboutJune2017intheUnitedKingdom·fromanaccountatHSBCbankrelatedtoPayza;f.
thePayza.
comdomain;andg.
theAlertPay.
comdomain3.
Ifanyofthepropertydescribedaboveasbeingsubjecttoforfeiture,asaresultofanyactoromissionofthedefendants:20a.
cannotbelocatedupontheexerciseofduediligence;b.
hasbeentransferredorsoldto,ordepositedwith,athirdparty;c.
hasbeenplacedbeyondthejurisdictionoftheCourt;d.
hasbeensubstantiallydiminishedinvalue;ore.
hasbeencommingledwithotherpropertythatcannotbedividedwithoutdifficulty;thedefendantsshallforfeittotheUnitedStatesanyotherpropertyofthedefendants,uptothevalueofthepropertydescribedabove,pursuantto21U.
S.
C.
§853(p).
(CriminalForfeiture,pursuanttoTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,Section982(a)(l);andTitle21,UnitedStatesCode,Section853(p)).
AttorneyoftheUnitedStatesinandfortheDistrictofColumbia21ATRUEBILLFOREPERSON3,~lb
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