A 19-year-old Canadian Teenager Rakes in $13 million through Crypto Scams, Full Story Revealed After Reckless Driving Arrest

On June 11, Canadian national Trenton Johnston pleaded guilty in a federal court in Florida, U.S., to his role in a money laundering conspiracy tied to roughly $13 million in proceeds from cryptocurrency scams, The New York Times reported. Prosecutors’ court documents detail that over two years, Johnston posed as representatives of Google and crypto firms, tricked victims into surrendering access to their accounts, and worked with accomplices to move and hide the illegal funds for lavish purchases: high-end cars, jewelry, nightclub tabs, and private jet trips. In March 2024, he was pulled over in Miami for speeding in a Rolls-Royce; the car reportedly smelled of marijuana and other illegal drugs, sparking an investigation that uncovered his long-running involvement in crypto scams. The case also revealed he used social engineering to swindle a California resident out of roughly 185 bitcoins—valued at around $13 million. Federal Bureau of Investigation data shows crypto-related theft losses topped $11 billion in 2025, a roughly 20% jump from the prior year. As a first-time offender, Johnston has struck a plea deal with prosecutors. He is expected to receive a 4-to-5-year sentence followed by deportation back to Canada.