Operators Of Global Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme And Attorney Charged With Fraud And Money Laundering

Aug 18, 2020 · Sourced to the U.S. Department of Justice

The charges described here are allegations. The defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This page reflects only what the Department of Justice has publicly announced, and links to the original release.

Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C.

District

Eastern Texas

Announced

Aug 18, 2020

Status

Charged

Defendants

Pablo Renato Rodriguez — age 37 · Irvine, California · indicted
Gutemberg Dos Santos — age 45 · Panama City, Panama · arrested, pending extradition
Scott Hughes — age 44 · Newport Beach, California · indicted
Cecilia Millan — age 37 · Greensboro, North Carolina · indicted
Jackie Aguilar — age 55 · Plano, Texas · indicted

Charges

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Max: 20 years in prisonPablo Renato Rodriguez· indicted
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Max: 30 years in prisonPablo Renato Rodriguez· indicted
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Max: 20 years in prisonPablo Renato Rodriguez· indicted
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Max: 20 years in prisonGutemberg Dos Santos· indicted
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Max: 30 years in prisonGutemberg Dos Santos· indicted
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Max: 20 years in prisonGutemberg Dos Santos· indicted
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Max: 20 years in prisonCecilia Millan· indicted
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Max: 30 years in prisonCecilia Millan· indicted
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Max: 20 years in prisonCecilia Millan· indicted
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Max: 30 years in prisonScott Hughes· indicted
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Max: 20 years in prisonScott Hughes· indicted
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Max: 20 years in prisonJackie Aguilar· indicted

Financial actions

money laundering: $20 million — Proceeds of the AirBit Club Scheme laundered through domestic and foreign bank accounts, including an attorney trust account

From the announcement

“As alleged, the defendants put a modern-day spin on an age-old investment scam, promising extraordinary rates of guaranteed return on phantom investments in cryptocurrencies. Thanks to HSI, the defendants are in custody and facing serious criminal charges.”

— Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

“Those arrested today have not only been charged with running a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency investment fraud and money laundering ring, but also for allegedly spending their victim’s money on luxury cars, jewelry, and homes. These alleged fraudsters pulled out all the stops to sell their scheme to their victims with enticing recruitment events, then shamelessly used proceeds of their scheme to recruit additional victims through even more aggressive and lavish marketing pitches. As today’s arrests show, HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force investigates financial crimes of every type, and will stop those who prey on unsuspecting investors who entrust their hard-earned savings to so-called financial advisors. Those who violate this trust for their personal gain will face consequences for their actions.”

— Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

“bring new blood”

— Jackie Aguilar, Promoter, AirBit Club

“execution of financial sustainability Reserve, policy #34 of the Airbit Club Terms and Conditions, due to the economic and financial crisis caused by (Covid-19).”

Investigating agencies

United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New YorkHomeland Security InvestigationsHomeland Security Investigations El Dorado Task ForceHomeland Security Investigations PanamaHomeland Security Investigations Panama City Transnational Criminal Investigative UnitHomeland Security Investigations New OrleansSecurities and Exchange Commission

Case details

Prosecuting office: Southern District of New York
Judge: George B. Daniels, U.S. District Judge
Assets: Bitcoin

Attorney MisconductBank FraudCryptocurrency FraudFinancial Crimes EnforcementInternational Cooperation And ExtraditionInvestment Scam Targeting VictimsMoney LaunderingPonzi SchemeWire Fraud

Primary source

Every fact above is drawn from the Department of Justice's own announcement — a public-domain government record.

Read the original DOJ release →

This is a research and reference page compiled from public DOJ announcements, not legal advice. Details reflect the government's statements as of its release date and may not capture later developments such as appeals, dismissals, or overturned convictions. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.