Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to $13M Cryptocurrency Fraud and Money Laundering on June 11

According to The New York Times, on June 11, Trenton Johnston pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy involving approximately $13 million from cryptocurrency fraud in U.S. federal court in Florida. Over two years, Johnston impersonated Google and cryptocurrency company representatives to deceive victims into surrendering account access credentials, then conspired to transfer and conceal illegal proceeds.

The case was uncovered in March 2024 when Johnston was pulled over for speeding in Miami while driving a Rolls-Royce; police reported detecting marijuana odor and suspected controlled substances in the vehicle. Court documents reveal Johnston defrauded a California resident of approximately 185 bitcoins, valued at $13 million, through social engineering tactics. As a first-time offender, Johnston reached a plea agreement and faces 4 to 5 years in prison, with deportation to Canada upon release.