7 from NYC charged in $20M money laundering scheme; Nassau DA believes over 1,800 victims targeted

Seven suspects have been charged in the money laundering case
Seven suspects have been charged in the money laundering case. Photo credit Nassau County DA

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Seven men from New York City were arrested in an alleged $20 million money laundering scheme that targeted hundreds of people, many of them seniors, across multiple states.

All seven suspects—who are from Queens and Staten Island—face charges of money laundering and conspiracy following a 15-month investigation into the scam, which allegedly spanned from January 2023 to this month.

According to the Nassau County D.A.’s Office, the scammers mainly targeted older people with computer, including with computer pop-ups telling them their information had been used to purchase child sexual abuse material.

Surveillance video allegedly shows the suspects purchasing items from Home Depot and Lowe's using fraudulently obtained gift cards
Surveillance video allegedly shows the suspects purchasing items from Home Depot and Lowe's using fraudulently obtained gift cards. Photo credit Nassau County DA

The victims were instructed to buy Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards to avoid being arrested, prosecutors said.

The scammers would then allegedly use the money to purchase items like copper piping and hot water heaters at Home Depot and Lowe’s locations across Long Island and the NYC area for resale to contractors and plumbers.

A map shows the locations where the men allegedly purchased the items
A map shows the locations where the men allegedly purchased the items. Photo credit Nassau County DA

“We believe more than 1,800 people were victimized across the country, spanning 45 states, from New York to as far as Hawaii and Alaska,” Nassau County D.A. Anne Donnelly said.

Prosecutors believe the group made over 6,000 transactions on more than 400 different dates across 80 Home Depot or Lowe’s locations in New York.

Prosecutors said among the evidence is surveillance video that shows the suspects purchasing items at the chain stores.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Nassau County DA