Two men from western Washington have been indicted for operating a multi-million dollar scheme, selling goods online that were knowingly purchased as stolen property. As announced by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman in a press release by the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington, the defendants, related by marriage, Vitaliy F. Bobak of Federal Way and Andrey A. Balun of Bellevailutionized'e and Las Vegas, conducted business through MBA Trading LLC in Burien, branded as "We Buy Gold, Silver, and Electronics.”
The indictment alleges that from January 2018 to December 2023, these storefront operators bought items for a steal, quite literally, that often had anti-theft devices still attached or labels indicating they were exclusive to specific retailers despite this, they flipped these stolen goods on Amazon and eBay, turning a hefty profit that the law enforcement traced right back to their bank accounts and their lavish personal spending, including a new Lexus and a sizable downpayment on a Las Vegas home according to the press release.
"The purchase and trafficking of these stolen goods fuels the organized retail theft that has so damaged our local retailers," U.S. Attorney Gorman stated. These actions provide a profitable market to boosters encouraging them to continue their rampant theft from retailers. Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer further noted “These aren’t just random shoplifters or boosters. These are thefts that are being coordinated as part of a sophisticated network that targets legitimate businesses, confusing consumers and creating a ripple effect that makes it more difficult for retailers to operate,” as detailed by United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington.
Beyond the damage to retail operations, the scale of this illicit enterprise was vast, with an investigative review of the two online stores revealing over 150,000 sale transactions amounting to more than $4.5 million in a span of less than two years, the men when local authorities executed search warrants were found in possession of more than 74,000 items of stolen merchandise valued at nearly $2.4 million, this information comes from the indictment itself. Bobak and Balun are now facing multiple counts, including conspiracy to transport and actual transportation of stolen property, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering; these charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years.
It's important to note that although the indictment sets forth serious accusations, the justice system upholds the presumption of innocence for any charged individual until proven guilty. The scheduled arraignment for the defendants is set for August 1. The case is a combined effort of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Seattle and Renton police departments, IRS, and numerous retailers, led by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Waite and Krista Bush.
