Neil Suresh Chandran
Defendant
Owner of a group of companies operated under the banner
of ViRSE, which developed virtual-world technologies, including its own
cryptocurrency, for use in its metaverse. These companies included, but are not limited to, Free Vi
Lab; Studio Vi, Inc.; ViDelivery, Inc.; ViMarket, Inc. ("ViMarket"); and Skalex USA Inc.
Case Background
United States v. Neil Chandran
Court Docket No.: 4:22-CR-3077
Court Assigned: This case is assigned to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse, 111 South 18 Plaza, Suite 1152, Omaha, NE 68102.
Criminal Charges: In an indictment unsealed on June 29, 2022, Neil Chandran, the owner of a group of technology companies (including but not limited to, Free Vi Lab; Studio Vi, Inc.; ViDelivery, Inc.; ViMarket, Inc.; and Skalex USA Inc.), was charged with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of monetary transactions in unlawful proceeds for his involvement in an investment fraud scheme that defrauded more than 10,000 victims of more than $45 million. According to the indictment, from June 2018 through the present, Chandran is alleged to have falsely promised extremely high returns on the premise that one or more of his companies, operated
under the banner of ViRSE, was about to be acquired by a consortium of wealthy buyers. The indictment alleges Chandran that provided materially false and misleading information to one individual, “Individual 2,” a then-resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, who passed the information along to another individual, “Individual 1,” a resident of Palm City, Florida. Individual 1 marketed the
investment opportunity to thousands of current and prospective investors through email updates and conference calls under the name “CoinDeal” or “Coin Deal.” Chandran caused Individual 1 and Individual 2 to make various materially false and misleading representations, including that (a) investors in Chandran’s companies would soon receive extremely high returns when one or more of
those companies was purchased by a group of wealthy buyers; (b) investor funds would be used for normal expenses to keep thecompanies operating until they were purchased, and (c) prominent business figures, including two notable billionaires, were involved in the purchase.
Case Information
June 29 2022
August 2 2022
August 15th 2022
Arraignment in Nebraska (Audio)
The Grand Jury Indictment was unsealed and the Defendant was arrested in Los Angeles California. No disclosure on the investigation that led to the arrest. "United States of America" captioned as Plaintiff.
The prosecution requested a Detention Hearing in the Out of District Court of California. Here is an except of the hearing.
The initial appearance was made via video conference while the Defendant was still in custody in Fort Leavenworth Prison. The Defendant was given a one day notice of appearance. The Defendant was denied appointed counsel while all assets were frozen by agencies. The Judge continued under those conditions to read off the charges against him. The Judge then addressed the issue of extradition and appointment of counsel for a rehearing.
The Defendant was extradited from Fort Leavenworth Prison Kansas where he had been held since shortly after his arrest in July to Nebraska. There was an initial hearing, conducted by video conference, in which the Defendant did not have counsel. In this hearing he was appointed counsel, Mirandized by the Judge, and given 90 days to prepare for a case status check. The prosecution claimed to have One million documents of Initial enclosure and the Judge verified it by calling it a dump. The Judge declared the case to be "complex" and the prosecution agreed.
August 30 2022
September 14 2022
September 20 2022
The scheduled Detention Hearing was continued, by the Defense, until September 14th. Defense submitted an Response to a request for a Protective Order by the Prosecution.
The scheduled Detention Hearing was held and the Judge Denied Neil"s release based on some other jurisdictions and Judge's opinion. The next action is a phone conference, not essential for the Defendant's to appear September 20th., for a disclosure status update.
The Discovery Status Hearing was held without the defendant being present on the call. The Prosecution had stated that a little under 500 thousand documents were sent regarding bank accounts. Defense stated that they have not received any reviewable evidence as it concerns exculpatory evidence, Brady Material or evidence to determine privacy concerns. The Prosecution is delaying additional disclosure due to some protocol involving access to electronic devises. The Discovery Status Hearing is continued, at the expense of the defendant, for another 60 days, 90 days suggested by the Magistrate Judge. All of which are subject to The Speedy Trial act of 1974, Administrative law, abrogating the Civil Liberty of the 6th Amendment right of the defendant. Next hearing to be held on November 15th 2022 over the phone again.
November 15th 2022
TEXT MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart on 11/15/2022 as to defendant Neil Suresh Chandran. Telephonic status hearing held. Defendant is not present on the call. Disclosure of discovery is ongoing. Defense counsel's unopposed oral motion to set another status conference is granted. Status Conference set for 3/2/2023 at 10:00 AM by Telephone before Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. Parties are directed to use the conference instructions found at filing 21 for participation in the conference. Case remains unusual and complex, therefore the time between today's date and the anticipated hearing is excluded for purposes of computing the limits under the Speedy Trial Act. Appearance for Plaintiff: Tian Huang and William E. Johnston; for Defendant: David R. Stickman and Jessica L. Milburn, FPD; Courtroom Deputy: Jeri Bierbower; Court Reporter: digital. Time Start: 10:32 AM; Time Stop: 10:43 AM; Time in Court: 11 Minutes. (JAB) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
The Discovery Status Hearing is continued, supposedly by the defense counsel and at the expense of the defendant, for another 90 days. Which is subject to The Speedy Trial act of 1974, Administrative law, abrogating the Civil Liberty of the 6th Amendment right of the defendant.
December 9th 2022
ORDER FOR RULE 17(c) SUBPOENA as to Neil Suresh Chandran. The Government's motion is granted. The United States shall issue a subpoena duces tecum to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, with a production date no later than December 15, 2022. The documents may be produced at the offices of the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section provided that the United States makes such records immediately available to the defendant. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. (LRM) (Entered: 12/09/2022)
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