A Bulgarian nationwide already serving federal jail time for a multimillion-dollar on-line fraud scheme now faces new charges after allegedly conspiring to maneuver cryptocurrency that had been seized by the U.S. authorities, according to the Justice Division.
Rossen G. Iossifov, 53, made an preliminary look in federal court docket within the Jap District of Kentucky on charges of destruction or elimination of property to forestall seizure, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to commit cash laundering, the Justice Division mentioned. The charges stem from Iossifov’s alleged function within the unauthorized withdrawal and switch of roughly $290,000 in cryptocurrency that had beforehand been seized and forfeited to the USA, prosecutors mentioned.
In accordance with court docket paperwork, Iossifov allegedly conspired in January 2024 to take away the cryptocurrency, which had been ordered forfeited following his 2021 conviction in the identical district. Prosecutors allege he conspired to switch the forfeited funds via a number of cryptocurrency exchanges and illicit mixing providers in an effort to forestall the USA from acquiring possession of them.
On the time of the alleged conduct, Iossifov was serving a 111-month jail sentence for his function in a fraud scheme that victimized Individuals via a widespread on-line public sale fraud operation, in response to the Justice Division. Proof introduced at his earlier trial and sentencing confirmed he had laundered almost $5 million in cryptocurrency over lower than three years, prosecutors mentioned. He had additionally been ordered to pay greater than $2.6 million in restitution to victims of that scheme.
Assistant Lawyer Normal A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Division’s Legal Division mentioned defendants who flout lawfully entered court docket orders and parts of their federal prison sentences may be charged with obstructive conduct. First Assistant U.S. Lawyer Jason Parman for the Jap District of Kentucky mentioned the alleged conduct represents a calculated try and undermine judicial authority and compromise victims’ rights, if confirmed. Particular Agent in Cost Robert Holman of the U.S. Secret Service’s Louisville Subject Workplace mentioned the company stays dedicated to making sure that people who try to bypass lawful court docket orders are held accountable.
If convicted, Iossifov faces a most penalty of 25 years in jail, the Justice Division mentioned. The case was investigated by the Secret Service, with vital help from the division’s Workplace of Worldwide Affairs. It’s being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Vasantha Rao of the Legal Division’s Pc Crime and Mental Property Part and Assistant U.S. Lawyer Kathryn M. Dieruf for the Jap District of Kentucky.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed harmless till confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt in a court docket of regulation.
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