Iurii Gugnin, the founder of a cryptocurrency payment company, has been charged with multiple offenses including wire and bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The indictment was unsealed at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Gugnin is accused of using his company, Evita, to process over $500 million in overseas payments through U.S. banks and cryptocurrency exchanges while concealing their origins and purposes.
The announcement came from Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christopher G. Raia from the FBI’s New York Field Office; Harry Chavis from IRS-CI New York; and Jonathan Carson from BIS-OEE.
“As alleged, Gugnin came to the United States and set up a money laundering operation under the guise of a cryptocurrency start-up,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. He emphasized that this arrest demonstrates their commitment to prosecuting those who abuse the U.S. financial system.
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg noted that “the defendant is charged with turning a cryptocurrency company into a covert pipeline for dirty money.” He added that they will not hesitate to bring such individuals to justice.
FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia stated that “Gugnin’s alleged scheme manipulated our nation’s financial infrastructure.” He affirmed their commitment to apprehending individuals who circumvent export controls.
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Chavis described how Gugnin allegedly used deception and fraud in his operations. “Through a complex investigation conducted by federal law enforcement,” he said, “Gugnin now faces prosecution.”
Special Agent in Charge Carson highlighted that export control violations are often linked with serious criminal activities. He reiterated their commitment to holding accountable those who compromise national security by violating U.S. export laws.
According to the indictment, Gugnin founded Evita Investments Inc. and Evita Pay Inc., using them as channels for foreign customers’ funds held at sanctioned Russian banks. These funds were laundered through cryptocurrency wallets and converted into fiat currencies via U.S.-based accounts.
Gugnin allegedly lied about his business dealings with Russian entities when dealing with banks and exchanges. Despite representing compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, he reportedly failed to implement necessary programs or file suspicious activity reports as required by law.
If convicted on all charges, Gugnin could face significant prison time: up to 30 years for bank fraud counts alone among other penalties for related charges.
Today’s actions were coordinated through an interagency effort led by Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force aimed at targeting illicit actors threatening critical technology supply chains.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Skurnik along with support from other legal professionals within various departments involved in national security matters related specifically towards cybercrime investigations like this one involving Iurii Gugnin also known as Iurii Mashukov or George Goognin aged 38 residing currently within New York City limits under docket number 25-CR-191 (NRM).
