PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Authorities are searching for one of two men accused of participating in a “large-scale” Moldovan and Russian money laundering scheme in North Carolina that resulted in up to $3 million in stolen funds.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said Valentin Virlizanu and Vasile Virlizanu are charged with felony money laundering, obtaining property by false pretenses, and using a government computer to defraud in connection with the investigation.
The SBI said the two men sold antique cars online, taking money from victims but never delivering the vehicles. The scheme operated under at least two different company names: Specialty Vehicles of Tulsa and Bonucci Auto of Arizona…