Houstonian admits to $935,000 international money laundering scheme

HOUSTON – A 31-year-old local man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

From July 2018 to November 2018, Baudelaire Tchouala laundered money into several bank accounts and withdrew the money to send to others. He used a business account to conceal the fraudulent activity.

Victims believed they paid for goods and services from legitimate individuals and companies but were tricked into sending the money to Tchouala’s accounts. On July 23, 2018, a victim wired $64,000 from their bank account to Tchouala’s account based on instructions they received via email. The victim sent the money, believing it was for the purchase of a house.

On Oct. 29, 2018, another victim directed $198,955 into Tchouala’s account for a down payment on a condominium. The receiving account was just opened Oct. 12, 2018.

In addition, several companies also fell victim to the scheme. One had communicated via email with someone pretending to be from another company. On Oct. 4, 2018, that person sent an email requesting that payment be sent to an updated bank account. Based on that email, the victim company sent approximately $645,711 to Tchouala’s bank account.

The victims reside in various countries including the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Tchouala withdrew most of the money via cash, card purchases, checks and transfers. Tchouala’s fraudulent financial activity totaled approximately $935,000.

U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett accepted the plea and set sentencing for March 7, 2024. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $500,000 maximum fine.

Tchouala was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and Shirin Hakimzadeh is prosecuting the case.