Bruce Jin, a resident of Los Angeles, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering involving approximately $59 million. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania disclosed that Jin was charged alongside Brian R. Cleland and Carlos A. Grijalva in August 2023. The indictment includes additional wire fraud charges against Cleland and Jin.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus explained that the defendants allegedly conspired with others to fraudulently obtain state unemployment compensation funds and other public funds under the guise of legitimate businesses selling COVID-19 protective equipment. Economic Impact Payments were also reportedly acquired through fraudulent means.
The indictment outlines how unidentified conspirators established numerous bank accounts using stolen identities, facilitating fraudulent claims paid out by states including Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. These funds were transferred to companies managed by Cleland, Jin, and Grijalva.
Jin is accused of receiving over $12 million through companies like Ample International and Jin Commerce. Additionally, over $45 million was allegedly funneled via ACH processing from victims' accounts to companies controlled by Cleland and Grijalva. Subsequently, large sums were transferred overseas.
Jin has been detained since his arrest in August 2023; meanwhile, Cleland and Grijalva are awaiting trial in May 2025 after pleading not guilty.
Mandy Riedel from COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement highlighted efforts to penalize those exploiting pandemic benefits programs. Syreeta Scott from the U.S. Department of Labor emphasized ongoing collaborations to protect unemployment insurance systems from exploitation.
Wayne A. Jacobs from FBI Philadelphia remarked on the misappropriation of funds meant for Americans in need being sent overseas instead.
The investigation involved both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma.
Under federal law, convictions could result in up to 20 years imprisonment for each charge along with supervised release and fines.
The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force aims to combat pandemic-related fraud through government collaboration efforts.
