A Korean American couple has been arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of orchestrating a massive investment fraud scheme totaling $57 million, according to local authorities.
Jong Rhee (45) and Neelufar Rhee (34) were taken into custody on May 22 by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Investigators allege the couple defrauded investors by claiming they could earn large profits through the resale of luxury cars and boats to overseas buyers. The two operated under the business names Twisted Twins Motorsports, LLC and Lusso Auto Spa.
Fake Transactions, Real Losses
Police say the couple promised high returns by reselling vehicles at marked-up prices abroad. However, no such buyers or transactions ever existed. Instead, they allegedly used the funds for personal expenses.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office has charged the pair with over 75 counts, including extortion, forgery, theft, money laundering, and organized fraud.
They were each released on $100,000 bail, and their next court appearance is scheduled for June 9.
Multi-Agency Investigation
The LVMPD is urging anyone who may have been victimized to contact investigators at criminalintel@lvmpd.com.
The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Florida, and Kentucky, as well as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), police departments in Arizona and Pennsylvania, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
