NEWARK, N.J. – A businessman and former resident of Utah has been charged with illegally working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise, U.S. Lawyer Philip R. Sellinger introduced at this time.

Christopher James Scanlon, 43, initially from Utah and now residing in the UK, is charged by criticism with one depend of conspiring to regulate and personal an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise. Scanlon was arrested at Miami Worldwide Airport at this time and is predicted to have his preliminary look in U.S. District Courtroom for the Southern District of Florida on Friday.   

In line with paperwork filed on this case and statements made in court docket:

Scanlon was the president, chief government officer, and founding father of the manufacturers Aurae Way of life and Membership Swann. From as early as 2015 by 2019, Scanlon managed a collection of authorized entities – PMA Media Group Inc.; AU Card LLC; AU Card Ltd., and Nvayo Ltd., (collectively, the “AU Entities”) – that he operated as a cash transmitting enterprise to offer fiat and cryptocurrency monetary providers to clients of Aurae Way of life. Scanlon served as a customer support consultant for a number of high-net-worth Aurae Way of life clients. He usually communicated with clients about monetary transactions utilizing encrypted messaging functions and directed the AU Entities to conduct monetary transactions for patrons by U.S.-based banks and cryptocurrency corporations. Scanlon operated Aurae Way of life throughout this time with out appropriately registering as a cash transmitting enterprise with the Monetary Crimes Enforcement Community (FinCen), a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Division.

The conspiracy depend carries a most time period of imprisonment of 5 years, a high-quality of as much as $250,000 or twice the pecuniary acquire to the defendant or loss to the victims, whichever is best. 

U.S. Lawyer Sellinger credited particular brokers of IRS – Legal Investigation, underneath the path of Particular Agent in Cost Tammy Tomlins, and particular brokers of the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace, underneath the path of Particular Agent in Cost Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation resulting in the costs.

The federal government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamie Hoxie Solano and Sophie E. Reiter of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

The cost and allegations contained within the criticism are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.