A Federal Way man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle for his role in a large-scale scheme to sell stolen goods online. Vitaliy F. Bobak, 53, admitted to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.
Bobak and co-defendant Andrey A. Balun jointly owned MBA Trading LLC, which operated a storefront called “We Buy Gold, Silver, and Electronics” in Burien, Washington. Law enforcement investigations determined that the business knowingly purchased stolen merchandise from local retailers and resold it on Amazon and eBay for significant profit.
According to court records and the plea agreement, Bobak had co-owned the business since 2020. He admitted purchasing primarily over-the-counter medications and health and beauty products from individuals he knew had stolen them. Many of these items still had anti-theft devices or retailer-specific stickers attached when they were bought by the store at prices well below retail value.
The pair then listed these goods for sale on two online stores: “Medikus” on Amazon and “abcstore555” on eBay. The indictment details how money from these sales was deposited into their bank accounts, which was then used to pay cash to those who stole the goods—referred to as “boosters”—and payroll for employees handling posting and shipping of items. The rest of the proceeds were used by Bobak and Balun for personal expenses; Bobak reportedly spent $66,000 in cash on a new Lexus vehicle.
Between 2021 and June 2023, the operation generated more than $4.5 million in revenue. From January 1, 2022 through November 28, 2023 alone, there were over 150,000 transactions through their online stores.
When search warrants were executed on December 19, 2023, authorities seized more than 74,000 pieces of stolen merchandise valued at approximately $2.4 million from the business premises. After this seizure took place, the business ceased operations.
In his plea agreement Bobak acknowledged personally receiving at least $1 million in proceeds from the scheme and agreed to forfeit that amount to the government.
The plea agreement also cited specific examples of stolen items trafficked through their operation: a Braun electric shaver sold to Rhode Island; a Keurig coffee maker shipped to Oregon; and Sonicare as well as Rogaine products acquired from a booster—all with security devices removed using tools such as torch lighters or drills.
Conspiracy to transport stolen property carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Bobak is scheduled for sentencing on December 3, 2025.
Balun is set for jury trial before U.S. District Judge Tana Lin on February 23, 2026. Authorities emphasized that charges against Balun are only allegations at this stage: “A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
Homeland Security Investigations led the case with assistance from Renton Police Department, Seattle Police Department, IRS agents, and investigators representing various retailers involved in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Sean Waite and Asset Forfeiture Assistant United States Attorney Krista Bush are prosecuting the case.
