https://www.wyff4.com/article/pender-county-money-laundering-arrest-moldova-russia/65402257

One man is in custody and another is wanted in North Carolina, following an investigation of a large-scale international money laundering scheme.

The Pender County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have identified a large-scale Moldovan and Russian money laundering scheme.

Deputies say they arrested Valentin Virlizanu on Sunday with the assistance of the Raleigh Police Department.

Deputies say an arrest warrant has also been issued for his brother, Vasile Virlizanu. The SBI is requesting the public's help in locating Vasile.

Both men are facing multiple felony charges including:

l  Felony conspiracy

l  Felony money laundering

l  Felony obtaining property by false pretenses

l  Felony use of a government computer to defraud

Valentin Virlizanu was booked into the Pender County Detention Center and has been released on a $25,000 bond, deputies say.

The PCSO says this scheme is believed to have operated under at least two different company names: Specialty Vehicles of Tulsa and Bonucci Auto of Arizona.

The two men allegedly sold antique cars online, taking payments from victims but failing to deliver the vehicles.

The SBI has identified up to $3 million in stolen funds.