U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker | U.S. Department of Justice
A Cincinnati man has been indicted on charges related to a $6.5 million fraud scheme involving an online laundry and dry-cleaning business. Benjamin Cantey, 41, faces a six-count indictment that was unsealed recently.
The indictment states that in 2019, Cantey founded Carbon IQ Inc., operating as Rumby, a Delaware corporation based in Cincinnati. Rumby was promoted as a venture-backed startup offering an e-commerce platform for laundry and dry-cleaning services. As the founder and CEO, Cantey sought investment funds.
From 2020 to 2022, it is alleged that Cantey defrauded investors by misrepresenting his business experience and success. He reportedly provided false information about Rumby's financial status, including revenue and profits, through misleading presentation materials.
One specific claim involved Cantey's assertion that Rumby had a $1.5 million bank balance at the end of May 2022, while the actual balance was negative $53,000. Additionally, he allegedly used $850,000 of investor money towards purchasing a home valued at $1.7 million in Cincinnati.
Cantey is charged with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from unlawful activity.
The charges were announced by Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Cincinnati Division. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer is handling the case for the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment contains allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
