Canadian Teen Indicted for $13M Crypto Fraud Scheme Funding Miami Luxury Spending

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Canadian teenager Trenton Richard David Johnston, 19, was indicted on May 11 for allegedly running a $13 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme from the Miami area. Prosecutors said Johnston and unnamed co-conspirators impersonated support representatives from major search engines and cryptocurrency companies to gain access to victims' digital accounts and crypto wallets, then transferred assets before victims could respond.

Johnston and co-defendant Brandon Michael Tardibone, 28, allegedly laundered over $1 million in illicit proceeds by purchasing luxury vehicles, high-end jewelry, and financing entertainment expenses. A plea agreement was filed for Johnston on June 9, moving the case beyond the initial indictment stage. Tardibone was separately charged with harboring Johnston, who had overstayed his visa and remained in the U.S. unlawfully.