Erick Jason Victoria-Brito has been extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in a federal court in Manhattan. Victoria-Brito is accused of participating in an international bank fraud and money laundering scheme that caused over $60 million in losses. The indictment against him alleges that he conspired to commit these crimes from December 2017 through November 2022.

Danielle R. Sassoon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated: “As we allege, Erick Jason Victoria-Brito and his co-conspirators ran an international bank fraud and money laundering scheme designed to help carry out business email compromise scams." She emphasized the commitment to hold those responsible accountable.

Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service, remarked on the case: “This alleged scheme rained down financial ruin upon unwitting businesses and individuals."

The fraudulent activities involved registering over 1,000 fake businesses to open bank accounts used for receiving stolen funds through business email compromise schemes. Participants allegedly laundered this money by transferring it overseas, particularly to banks in China.

Victoria-Brito faces one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud with a maximum sentence of 30 years and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering with a maximum sentence of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Sassoon praised several agencies for their investigative work, including the New York City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Burnett and Amanda C. Weingarten from the General Crimes Unit.

The charges are accusations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.