Miami Real Estate Broker Convicted for Laundering Money for Sanctioned Russian Oligarchs

Miami Real Estate Broker Convicted for Laundering Money for Sanctioned Russian Oligarchs

Edited by: TJVNews.com

A Miami real estate broker has made history as the first in the United States to be convicted under federal laws for laundering money on behalf of sanctioned Russian oligarchs, according to The New York Post report on Thursday. This landmark case highlights the growing scrutiny on real estate professionals who facilitate illicit financial transactions in the U.S. luxury property market.

According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Roman Sinyavsky, a real estate broker operating in Miami, pleaded guilty to money laundering and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). His conviction stems from his role in facilitating real estate transactions for Viktor Perevalov and Valeri Abramov, two Russian oligarchs who were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These individuals, described as “Putin puppets”, were first placed under sanctions in 2018 for their involvement in a Russian construction firm that built a highway in occupied Crimea, Ukraine.

Despite these restrictions, The New York Post reported that Perevalov and Abramov managed to purchase high-end condominiums in Bal Harbour and Aventura, two exclusive areas in North Miami Beach. Between 2018 and 2023, Sinyavsky conspired with others to sell, lease, and manage these luxury properties, effectively circumventing U.S. sanctions. By collecting and distributing rental proceeds, he helped sustain the oligarchs’ U.S.-based assets, thereby laundering their money through the real estate sector, as detailed by The New York Post.

The significance of Sinyavsky’s conviction cannot be overstated. As reported by The New York Post, this marks the first time a real estate broker has been held criminally accountable under federal money laundering laws. His case represents a critical policy shift, signaling that real estate professionals will no longer be able to evade responsibility when aiding foreign criminals in hiding their illicit wealth.

Crime and corruption expert Louise Shelley, founder and executive director of the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, told The New York Post: “I have never heard of anything like this before. I think it shows that professionals in this area who are aiding money laundering will now be held accountable for their actions.”

Shelley, who is also a professor at the Schar School of Policy and International Affairs at George Mason University, emphasized that real estate has long been overlooked in anti-money laundering efforts. However, she noted that U.S. law enforcement has now made it clear: real estate brokers who knowingly facilitate illegal transactions will face legal consequences.

According to The New York Post, the real estate industry has historically been a prime vehicle for money laundering, allowing corrupt officials, oligarchs, and organized crime figures to conceal illicit wealth. While brokers have previously been subpoenaed to provide information in money laundering investigations, they were never prosecuted for their direct role in facilitating these crimes—until now.

One veteran industry insider, who has been subpoenaed in previous cases, told The New York Post: “This is a wake-up call for brokers. I can’t imagine this guy will ever have a broker’s license again. He’ll be flipping burgers.”

This conviction sends a clear warning to real estate professionals who turn a blind eye to illicit financial activity. It also aligns with the U.S. Treasury Department’s increasing focus on tightening financial regulations surrounding real estate transactions, as reported by The New York Post.

Sinyavsky’s conviction was the result of an investigation led by the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, a specialized unit focused on enforcing sanctions against Russian oligarchs and their enablers, according to The New York Post. As part of the case, the U.S. government seized two of the three properties linked to Perevalov and Abramov, selling them for $1.8 million.

Further reinforcing this crackdown, The New York Post reported that the Treasury Department’s 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment Report identified real estate professionals as a critical vulnerability in financial crime enforcement. Because brokers, escrow agents, and other real estate professionals often act as intermediaries without stringent oversight, the sector has been a favored tool for criminals seeking to launder money.

In response, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has introduced new regulations aimed at curbing illicit money flows. As detailed by The New York Post, a rule passed in August 2023 will take effect at the end of this year, requiring a responsible party—which could be a lawyer, escrow agent, or real estate broker—to collect and report beneficial ownership information whenever a legal entity purchases real estate in cash.

Scott Greytak, director of advocacy for Transparency International US, explained to The New York Post that this rule is a game-changer because it will expose hidden buyers who previously used shell companies and trusts to avoid detection.

As reported by The New York Post, Sinyavsky was fined approximately $1.1 million for his role in facilitating transactions for sanctioned Russian oligarchs. He now faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on April 11. His case is expected to serve as a deterrent for other brokers who have aided drug lords, kleptocrats, and other criminals in exploiting the U.S. real estate market for money laundering.

This case is not just about one broker—it is about an industry-wide reckoning. With tighter regulations, increased enforcement, and high-profile convictions, the U.S. government is making it increasingly difficult for bad actors to use American real estate as a safe haven for illicit wealth.

Sinyavsky’s conviction is a warning shot to the real estate industry: those who knowingly assist in laundering money—whether for Russian oligarchs, drug cartels, or corrupt politicians—will no longer be able to escape justice. With new laws taking effect, increased scrutiny from regulators, and a precedent-setting conviction, it is evident that the era of unchecked money laundering through luxury real estate may finally be coming to an end.