Man pleads guilty to running unlicensed cryptocurrency business in Houston area, collected more than $500K in Bitcoin within 3 months

HOUSTON – A 49-year-old out-of-state man has pleaded responsible to operating an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise within the Houston space, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace introduced.

Hien Ngoc Vo, of Seattle, Washington, admitted that between March 16, 2016, and June 8, 2016, he operated a prohibited cryptocurrency enterprise.

Vo used Paxful and LocalBitcoins to purchase and promote Bitcoin – web sites the place folks should purchase and promote cryptocurrencies. He profited from gross sales by gathering a share of the transactions which ranged from 5-30%. Through the transactions, Vo didn’t ask purchasers for any type of identification nor the aim for which they had been buying the cryptocurrency, prosecutors mentioned.

Vo obtained funds within the type of money, direct financial institution deposits, American Specific bank cards in addition to Amazon and generic present playing cards. He used a number of financial institution accounts to conduct his enterprise, however the banks shut down the accounts after inquiring in regards to the origination of the funds.

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Through the course of three months, the unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise obtained and transmitted roughly $515,147.19 in Bitcoin.

Vo faces as much as 5 years in federal jail and a potential $250,000 most superb. Sentencing might be imposed on Sept. 5.

He was permitted to stay on bond pending sentencing.

The FBI carried out the investigation.