LOS ANGELES, California — Two Southern California men have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a complex money laundering scheme that defrauded over 100 victims, primarily targeting the elderly, resulting in more than $10 million in losses. Sylas Nyuydzene Verdzekov, a 38-year-old from Chino Hills, and Lovert Che, a 44-year-old from Lomita, were taken into federal custody, while a third suspect, Mustapha Nkachiwouo Selly Yamie, a 29-year-old from Inglewood, is still at large.
The defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office. Verdzekov and Che are expected to be arraigned in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally stated, “As the indictment alleges, these defendants built a sophisticated fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted and preyed on our most vulnerable citizens.”
The indictment reveals that from at least November 2021, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che, along with their co-conspirators, created fake identification documents and established at least 36 shell companies in California. These entities were used to open at least 145 bank accounts and 32 private mailboxes across Southern California, all part of their fraudulent activities…