Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in $13 Million Crypto Heist

A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in connection with the theft of over $13 million in cryptocurrency. Trenton Richard David Johnston, a 20-year-old from Canada, was accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering along with co-defendant Brandon Michael Tardibone.

The scheme involved fake support calls where scammers posed as representatives from Google and other cryptocurrency-related companies to gain access to digital accounts and wallets. One victim lost 185 Bitcoin, worth around $13 million at the time, after receiving a Signal message from Johnston claiming 'We actually smacked a 185 BTC target today.'

Investigators tied the scheme to luxury spending, including the lease of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan and other high-end vehicles. The Justice Department said Johnston had overstayed his visa and remained in the United States unlawfully.