Defendant Convicted at Trial for Participating in Transnational Telemarketing Scheme that Defrauded Dozens of Victims of More than $12 Million

BROOKLYN, NY - Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Yveler Marcellus was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent scheme that targeted dozens of vulnerable victims in the United States. The verdict followed a five-day trial before United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon. When sentenced, Marcellus faces up to 40 years in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Daniel Brubaker, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the verdict.

"The evidence showed that Yveler Marcellus worked closely with a crew based in New York, along with co-conspirators abroad, to perpetrate a sprawling, transnational money laundering and fraud scheme that cruelly preyed on vulnerable victims' fears that their money was compromised and that they were running afoul of the law," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Today's verdict underscores our Office's commitment to vigorously prosecute criminals who conspire with foreign actors for their own monetary gain and to the financial detriment of elderly and other vulnerable victims."

Mr. Nocella thanked Homeland Security Investigations, New York, and the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance on the case.

"Postal Inspectors have long investigated telemarketing scams and mail fraud, and unfortunately the elderly are often victims of these schemes by greedy and callous individuals. This verdict is another victory for consumers, and sends a strong message to those who use the U.S. Mail to prey on our seniors, you will be brought to justice and pay for your crimes." said USPIS Inspector In Charge Brubaker. "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to combating elder fraud designed to defraud innocent victims primarily by illegal use of the U.S. Mail, and we continue taking steps to educate Americans about the dangers of various types of frauds."

As proven at trial, between January 2022 and December 2023, Marcellus and his co-conspirators participated in a "tech" scheme, through which co-conspirators based in India contacted victims by phone and convinced them to send money instruments, including checks and money orders, to the defendant and other U.S-based co-conspirators at various addresses in the Eastern District of New York. After receiving the victims' checks, Marcellus and his U.S.-based co-conspirators laundered the check proceeds through their own bank accounts and other bank accounts that they controlled, shared the proceeds amongst themselves, and sent the remainder of the laundered proceeds to the co-conspirators in India. The scheme is estimated to have netted over $12 million from victims across the United States.

Seven of Marcellus's co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme and are awaiting sentencing.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Molly Delaney and David Berman are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists John Schneider and Erin Payne.

The Defendant:

YVELER MARCELLUS
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-9 (S-1) (CBA)

Defendants Who Have Previously Pleaded Guilty:

DANIEL VERNON
Age: 29
Queens, New York

FELIX MARCIAL
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

TATIANA WILLIAMS
Age: 28
Miramar, Florida

ASHEEM HENRY
Age: 34
New York, New York

RAHMEL THOMPSON
Age: 26
Queens, New York

GEORGE MIMS
Age: 38
New York, New York

DAQUAN MITCHELL
Age: 34
New York, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-9 (CBA)