Fred Asante, a Virginia native was caught in New York and has pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge that involved the theft of millions of dollars. Asante was a member of a Ghana-based criminal enterprise, that netted over 35 million dollars in schemes that involved taking advantage of the elderly, and people looking for online companionship.
Online Dating App Fraud
Assante and the enterprise would target online daters that were simply looking for cyber companionship who would then be surprised to find out that their online friend did not exist. These same people then became even more surprised when they found out they were being targeted by other members of the enterprise as well.
Business Wire Fraud
Along with romance scheming, Assante would trick businesses into wiring funds into one of the enterprise’s bank accounts, and would also receive payments from businesses under false claims. Initially, Assante’s transactions had the appearance of legitimate business transactions, as he was selling a product. It was later found out that the product he was selling was bought with dirty money from his various fraud schemes.
Wrap-Up
Assante and his enterprise’s 7-year tirade has finally come to an end. From 2013 to 2020, Assante controlled more than 12 bank accounts in the United States and would launder payments he received from victims to other members of the enterprise. He was arrested in mid-February and will be sentenced in May of 2022.
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