Key West Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Laundering Victim Funds to Nigeria
2022-03-22 · Press release
Mentions 1960 Verified 1960
Summary: A Key West man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months’ imprisonment for laundering approximately $1 million of victim funds that were illegally obtained from romance and investment fraud scams that targeted elderly victims.
Miami, Florida – A Key West man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months’ imprisonment for laundering approximately $1 million of victim funds that were illegally obtained from romance and investment fraud scams that targeted elderly victims.
After a three-day trial before the Honorable United States District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, a jury found Sean Kerwin Bindranauth, 45, guilty of one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, six counts of substantive money laundering, and one count of conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business. According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Bindranauth’s conspirators contacted the victims (who were generally lonely older women) via social media, developed on-line relationships with the victims, and convinced them to send money to Bindranauth via wire transfer, personal checks, or cash.
The trial evidence showed that, once Bindranauth received the money, he sent it from the United States to Nigeria by using international money transfer companies, initiating direct bank transfers, purchasing gift cards and relaying the gift card information, and other means. Over a dozen seniors and other victims were tricked into sending Bindranauth and his co-conspirators approximately $1 million. Evidence at trial demonstrated that other victims sent Bindranauth cash via USPS. A forensic analyst testified that the total loss to victims was impossible to ascertain because of untraceable funds.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
HSI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Lazopoulos Friedman and Yisel Valdes prosecuted the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniele Croke handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 19-cr-10016-KMM.
###
- district_office
- Southern District of Florida
- usa_name
- Juan Antonio Gonzalez
- event_type
- sentencing
- judge_name
- K. Michael Moore
- judge_title
- U.S. District Court Judge
- case_number
- 19-cr-10016-KMM
- max_penalty_text
- sentence_summary
- 180 months’ imprisonment
- money_amounts
- $1 million
- crypto_assets
- statutes_json
- timeline_json
- press_release_url
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/key-west-man-sentenced-180-months-federal-prison-laundering-victim-funds-nigeria
- extras_json
| participant_id | name | role | title | organization | location | age | nationality | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1754 | Sean Kerwin Bindranauth | defendant | Key West | 45 | sentenced | |||
| 1755 | K. Michael Moore | judge | United States District Court Judge | U.S. District Court | Florida | |||
| 1756 | Juan Antonio Gonzalez | prosecutor | U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Southern District of Florida | |||
| 1757 | Anthony Salisbury | investigator | Special Agent in Charge | Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) | Miami | |||
| 1758 | Lindsey Lazopoulos Friedman | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Southern District of Florida | |||
| 1759 | Yisel Valdes | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Southern District of Florida | |||
| 1760 | Daniele Croke | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Southern District of Florida |
| agency_id | agency_name | abbreviation | role | office_location | agents_mentioned | contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1106 | Homeland Security Investigations | HSI | investigation | Miami Field Office | Anthony Salisbury | Investigated the case |
| 1107 | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida | prosecution | Southern District of Florida | Lindsey Lazopoulos Friedman, Yisel Valdes, Daniele Croke | Prosecuted the case and handled asset forfeiture |
| charge_id | charge_description | statute | severity | max_penalty | fine_amount | defendant | status | participant_id | cl_docket_id | count_num | is_1960 | verified_1960 | source | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 904 | conspiring to commit money laundering | Sean Kerwin Bindranauth | guilty | 0 | enrichment | |||||||||
| 905 | substantive money laundering | Sean Kerwin Bindranauth | guilty | 0 | enrichment | |||||||||
| 906 | conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business | Sean Kerwin Bindranauth | guilty | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||||
| 2823 | unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 |
| fin_id | action_type | amount | currency | description | asset_type | defendant | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 341 | restitution | $1,000,000 | USD | Victim funds from romance and investment fraud scams targeting elderly victims | cash | Sean Kerwin Bindranauth | ordered |
| victim_id | victim_type | description | number_affected | loss_amount | geographic_scope | vulnerability_factors | impact_description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 229 | individual | elderly victims | over a dozen | $1 million | elderly, lonely | Tricked into sending funds via wire transfer, personal checks, or cash to Nigeria, resulting in financial loss |
| quote_id | quote_text | speaker_name | speaker_title | speaker_organization | quote_type | context | significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 758 | The trial evidence showed that, once Bindranauth received the money, he sent it from the United States to Nigeria by using international money transfer companies, initiating direct bank transfers, purchasing gift cards and relaying the gift card information, and other means. | statement | Description of the money laundering process | Details the methods used by the defendant to launder funds | |||
| 759 | Over a dozen seniors and other victims were tricked into sending Bindranauth and his co-conspirators approximately $1 million. | statement | Scale of the fraud and the amount of money involved | Highlights the extent of the fraud and the number of victims | |||
| 760 | A forensic analyst testified that the total loss to victims was impossible to ascertain because of untraceable funds. | testimony | Testimony regarding the difficulty in determining the total loss | Emphasizes the complexity of tracking the funds and the extent of the fraud |
| theme_id | theme_name | description | significance | related_statutes | geographic_scope | temporal_aspects | stakeholders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1104 | Money Laundering | Laundering $1 million obtained from romance and investment fraud targeting elderly victims through international money transfers, gift cards, and other methods. | Central to the charges leading to the 180-month sentence. | 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 18 U.S.C. § 1960 | International | Recent development | Law enforcement, Financial institutions, Victims |
| 1105 | Elder Fraud | Romance and investment scams targeting elderly victims, particularly lonely older women, via social media. | Highlights vulnerability of elderly victims and the nature of the fraud. | National | Victims, Law enforcement | ||
| 1106 | International Financial Transactions | Funds transferred from the U.S. to Nigeria using international money transfer companies and other methods. | Demonstrates cross-border nature of the criminal activity. | International | Financial institutions, Law enforcement | ||
| 1107 | Unlicensed Money Transmitting | Operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to facilitate the laundering of funds. | A key charge contributing to the conviction. | 18 U.S.C. § 1960 | National | Law enforcement, Financial regulators |
CourtListener / RECAP
Linked dockets
- CL #16245378 4:19-cr-10016 (flsd)
Documents
| Entry | Description | OCR | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| #15 desc | Second RESPONSE to Standing Discovery Order by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth as to discovery produced 10/4/2019 (Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 10/04/2019) | none | none |
| #14 desc | First RESPONSE to Standing Discovery Order by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth re Discovery Produced 10/2/2019 (Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 10/03/2019) | none | none |
| #13 desc | ORDER SETTING CRIMINAL TRIAL DATE AND PRETRIAL SCHEDULE; as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Calendar Call set for 12/5/2019 01:30 PM in Miami Division before Judge Jose E. Martinez. Jury Trial set for 12/9/2019 09:30 AM in Key West Division before Judge Jose E. Martinez. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 10/2/2019. See attached document for full details. (wh) Pattern Jury Instruction Builder - To access the latest, up to date changes to the 11th Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions go to https://pji.ca11.uscourts.gov or click here. (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #12 desc | ORDER granting 6 Motion for Protective Order as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1). Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 10/2/2019. See attached document for full details. (wh) (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #11 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Danielle Nicole Croke appearing for USA. As to forfeiture related matters. Attorney Danielle Nicole Croke added to party USA(pty:pla). (Croke, Danielle) (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #10 desc | Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added.. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added to party Sean Kerwin Bindranauth(pty:dft). (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #9 desc | Invocation of Right to Silence and Counsel by Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #8 desc | NOTICE of Striking 5 Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender by Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #7 desc | Clerks Notice to Filer re 5 Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender. Incorrect PDF Uploaded; CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED - Filer must file a Notice of Striking, then refile a correct copy of the document. (ls) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #6 desc | Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order as to Discovery by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Responses due by 10/15/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 09/30/2019) | none | none |
| #5 desc | Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added. (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 09/30/2019) | none | none |
| #4 desc | Minute Order for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow: Initial Appearance and ARRAIGNMENT as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1) Count 1,2-9,10 held on 9/27/2019. Detention Hearing set for 10/4/2019 02:00 PM in Key West Division before KW Duty Magistrate. Attorney added: Stewart Glenn Abrams for Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Digital 14:02:15) PAPERLESS STANDING DISCOVERY ORDER: The defendant(s) having been arraigned this date in open Court, it is Ordered that within 14 days of the date of this order that all parties to this action shall review and comply with Southern District of Florida Local Rules 88.10 (Criminal Discovery), and 88.9(c) (Motions in Criminal Cases). Upon a sufficient showing, the Court may at any time, upon a properly filed motion, order that the discovery or inspection provided for by this Standing Order be denied, restricted or deferred, or make such other order as is appropriate. It is expected by the Court, however, that counsel for both sides shall make a good faith effort to comply with the letter and spirit of this Standing Order. It shall be the continuing duty of counsel for both sides to immediately reveal to opposing counsel all newly discovered information or other material within the scope of Local Rule 88.10. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow on 9/27/2019. (dd) (Entered: 09/27/2019) | none | none |
| #3 desc | PAPERLESS NOTICE OF HEARING as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. INITIAL APPEARANCE and ARRAIGNMENT set for 9/27/2019 @ 2:00 PM in the Key West Division before Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow, 301 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040. (jz) (Entered: 09/27/2019) | none | none |
| entry desc | ARREST of Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. (jz) | none | none |
| entry desc | SYSTEM ENTRY - Docket Entry 2 restricted/sealed until further notice. (at) | none | none |
| #1 desc | INDICTMENT as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1) count(s) 1, 2-9, 10. FORFEITURE ALLEGATIONS. (at) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/25/2019: # 1 Restricted Unredacted Indictment) (at). (Entered: 09/25/2019) | none | none |
| #1 desc | INDICTMENT as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1) count(s) 1, 2-9, 10. FORFEITURE ALLEGATIONS. (at) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/25/2019: # 1 Restricted Unredacted Indictment) (at). (Entered: 09/25/2019) | none | none |
| 107786259 desc | SYSTEM ENTRY - Docket Entry 2 restricted/sealed until further notice. (at) | none | none |
| 109024435 desc | ARREST of Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. (jz) | none | none |
| #3 desc | PAPERLESS NOTICE OF HEARING as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. INITIAL APPEARANCE and ARRAIGNMENT set for 9/27/2019 @ 2:00 PM in the Key West Division before Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow, 301 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040. (jz) (Entered: 09/27/2019) | none | none |
| #4 desc | Minute Order for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow: Initial Appearance and ARRAIGNMENT as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1) Count 1,2-9,10 held on 9/27/2019. Detention Hearing set for 10/4/2019 02:00 PM in Key West Division before KW Duty Magistrate. Attorney added: Stewart Glenn Abrams for Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Digital 14:02:15) PAPERLESS STANDING DISCOVERY ORDER: The defendant(s) having been arraigned this date in open Court, it is Ordered that within 14 days of the date of this order that all parties to this action shall review and comply with Southern District of Florida Local Rules 88.10 (Criminal Discovery), and 88.9(c) (Motions in Criminal Cases). Upon a sufficient showing, the Court may at any time, upon a properly filed motion, order that the discovery or inspection provided for by this Standing Order be denied, restricted or deferred, or make such other order as is appropriate. It is expected by the Court, however, that counsel for both sides shall make a good faith effort to comply with the letter and spirit of this Standing Order. It shall be the continuing duty of counsel for both sides to immediately reveal to opposing counsel all newly discovered information or other material within the scope of Local Rule 88.10. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow on 9/27/2019. (dd) (Entered: 09/27/2019) | none | none |
| #5 desc | Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added. (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 09/30/2019) | none | none |
| #6 desc | Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order as to Discovery by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Responses due by 10/15/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 09/30/2019) | none | none |
| #7 desc | Clerks Notice to Filer re 5 Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender. Incorrect PDF Uploaded; CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED - Filer must file a Notice of Striking, then refile a correct copy of the document. (ls) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #8 desc | NOTICE of Striking 5 Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender by Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #9 desc | Invocation of Right to Silence and Counsel by Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #10 desc | Notice of Assignment of Assistant Federal Public Defender as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added.. Attorney Stewart Glenn Abrams added to party Sean Kerwin Bindranauth(pty:dft). (Abrams, Stewart) (Entered: 10/01/2019) | none | none |
| #11 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Danielle Nicole Croke appearing for USA. As to forfeiture related matters. Attorney Danielle Nicole Croke added to party USA(pty:pla). (Croke, Danielle) (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #12 desc | ORDER granting 6 Motion for Protective Order as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth (1). Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 10/2/2019. See attached document for full details. (wh) (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #13 desc | ORDER SETTING CRIMINAL TRIAL DATE AND PRETRIAL SCHEDULE; as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth. Calendar Call set for 12/5/2019 01:30 PM in Miami Division before Judge Jose E. Martinez. Jury Trial set for 12/9/2019 09:30 AM in Key West Division before Judge Jose E. Martinez. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 10/2/2019. See attached document for full details. (wh) Pattern Jury Instruction Builder - To access the latest, up to date changes to the 11th Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions go to https://pji.ca11.uscourts.gov or click here. (Entered: 10/02/2019) | none | none |
| #14 desc | First RESPONSE to Standing Discovery Order by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth re Discovery Produced 10/2/2019 (Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 10/03/2019) | none | none |
| #15 desc | Second RESPONSE to Standing Discovery Order by USA as to Sean Kerwin Bindranauth as to discovery produced 10/4/2019 (Friedman, Lindsey) (Entered: 10/04/2019) | none | none |
Extracted people
None yet.