Canadian teen pleads guilty to $13m Bitcoin fraud after spending millions on Rolls-Royce, BMWs

A Canadian teenager accused of stealing more than $13 million US in cryptocurrency has pleaded guilty in a Miami federal court after investigators linked him to a lavish lifestyle funded by fraud.

Trenton Richard David Johnston, who recently turned 20, admitted involvement in a cryptocurrency scam that targeted victims by impersonating Google employees and representatives from crypto security firms.

According to court documents reviewed by CBC News, Johnston and an accomplice stole at least $13.04 million US in Bitcoin and other digital assets from victims in California.

After one theft, Johnston reportedly texted a co-conspirator: “bro we rlly actually did some crazy [expletive] [expletive].”

Investigators said Johnston spent heavily on luxury cars, jewellery, private jet rentals and nightlife while living in Miami.

Prosecutors said he purchased a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, two BMWs and travelled extensively using stolen funds.

Authorities began investigating after a traffic stop in March involving a Rolls-Royce Cullinan in Miami.

According to investigators, people travelling with Johnston told officers he had become wealthy through cryptocurrency scams.

Federal agents later seized electronic devices and handwritten notes containing crypto account access codes.

Johnston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreed to be deported back to Canada after sentencing.

Court records also show Johnston overstayed a US tourist visa after entering the country from Ontario in 2024. His sentencing date has not yet been announced.