Federal prosecutors allege Marcos Arturo Kleiman Tronllan, 40, CEO of San Diego currency-exchange firm MoneyFlip LLC, was arrested after an undercover operation revealed he converted roughly $750,000 of suspected drug proceeds into cryptocurrency and allegedly arranged a murder-for-hire to collect a debt. Authorities say the deal called for $40,000 in payment, including two $5,000 deposits, and that Kleiman provided $5,000 in cash plus a $25,000 transfer after viewing staged images. He faces a murder-for-hire charge carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while a broader money-laundering probe continues.
California Currency-Exchange CEO Arrested in Alleged Cross-Border Murder-for-Hire Scheme
Federal prosecutors say Marcos Arturo Kleiman Tronllan, 40, the CEO of San Diego currency-exchange firm MoneyFlip LLC, has been arrested and charged after an undercover sting allegedly uncovered both money-laundering and a murder-for-hire plot tied to a debt collection.
Marcos Arturo Kleiman Tronllan, 40, is the CEO of the San Diego based currency exchange business called Moneyflip. My Money Flip
Allegations and Investigation
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California, the investigation began as a probe into suspected money-laundering. Prosecutors allege Kleiman—identified as a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident—used his MoneyFlip business to evade federal reporting requirements and to convert proceeds from drug sales into cryptocurrency.
Federal prosecutors allege Kleiman paid undercover agents to conduct a Murder-for-Hire operation. Getty Images
Undercover Operation
Federal agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security say they contacted Kleiman in February to ask whether he could convert cash from suspected drug sales. Prosecutors quote Kleiman as asking whether the funds were "clean or ... dirty," and saying, "I mean, I don't get scared, dude." Authorities allege Kleiman converted and transferred roughly $750,000 into a digital wallet controlled by an undercover agent.
Undercover agents showed Kleiman a staged photo of the victim tortured and murdered. U.S Dept of Justice
Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot
Prosecutors say the probe took a darker turn when Kleiman allegedly sought help to recover a debt from a Mexican businessman and to have the man killed. The alleged arrangement included a total fee of $40,000 and two advance deposits of $5,000 each.
In early July 2026, an undercover agent reportedly asked Kleiman for a further $5,000 to "reserve the savages," and warned that "whether [the victim] pays or not he will be left dead on the side of the road." Kleiman is quoted as replying, "I will get those 5 ready for you in 2-3 weeks."
Agents showed Kleiman staged photos and a video purported to show the victim captured and tortured. An agent told Kleiman, "They already killed the guy, so those people need to get paid." Kleiman allegedly responded, "count on it." The following day, prosecutors say Kleiman delivered $5,000 in cash and electronically transferred another $25,000 to an undercover agent as final payment.
Charges and Next Steps
Kleiman has been charged with murder-for-hire in connection with the alleged solicitation and payment for a homicide. That charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Federal authorities say the money-laundering inquiry into MoneyFlip's activities and any links to drug proceeds is ongoing, and additional charges or developments could follow as the investigation continues.
Note: All allegations are from federal prosecutors and have not been proven in court. Kleiman is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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