3 men arrested for Northeast Ohio cryptocurrency ATM scam
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley announced a cryptocurrency operation resulted in three individuals being indicted for owning and operating cryptocurrency kiosks Thursday morning.
O’Malley was joined by Economic Crime Supervisor and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Rogalski and US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Blaine Forschen for the announcement.
Three men and one business were indicted on illegally owning and operating cryptocurrency ATMs in gas stations across Cuyahoga and Lorain counties.
Officials say Sonny Meraban, Reza Meraban and William Suriano were all charged for operating S and P Solutions as Bitcoin of America.
The three men were all charged for money laundering, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, receiving stolen property and license requirement violation, O’Malley said.
O’Malley said 54 search warrants were executed and 51 machines were confiscated across Northeast Ohio.
Rogalski said money transmitters must have a license to operate, which Bitcoin of America did not have.
The assistant prosecuting attorney said 20% of the transaction was taken as a service fee without communicating that to users.
Officials say 29 law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation.
The 3 men were charged as follows.
On March 1, 2023, Sonny Meraban was indicted on the following charges:
• One count of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
• One count of Conspiracy
• Eight counts of Money Laundering
• Eight counts of Receiving Stolen Property
• 33 counts of License Requirement Violation
• Five counts of Tampering with Records
• One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
• One count of Taxation
On March 1, 2023, Reza Mehraban was indicted on the following charges:
• One count of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
• One count of Conspiracy
• Eight counts of Money Laundering
• Eight counts of Receiving Stolen Property
• 33 counts of License Requirement Violation
• Five counts of Tampering with Records
• One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
• One count of Taxation
On March 1, 2023, William Suriano was indicted on the following charges:
• One count of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
• One count of Conspiracy
• Eight counts of Money Laundering
• Eight counts of Receiving Stolen Property
• 33 counts of License Requirement Violation
• Five counts of Tampering with Records
• One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
• One count of Taxation
On March 1, 2023, S and P Solutions was indicted on the following charges:
• One count of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
• One count of Conspiracy
• Eight counts of Money Laundering
• Eight counts of Receiving Stolen Property
• 33 counts of License Requirement Violation
• Five counts of Tampering with Records
• One count of Possessing Criminal Tools
• One count of Taxation
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