YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Federal officials say a murdered Campbell man was behind a scheme to launder $16 million obtained through computer hacking and other fraud.

Zachary Howell, whose body was found in burning van on Youngstown's East Side in February, recruited 20 people from the Youngstown area as part of the alleged conspiracy, according to the FBI.

The suspects are accused of being part of an international fraud organization with others operating from Canada, Africa and other parts of the United States.

The 20 defendants were allegedly recruited and managed by Howell, who is described by authorities as a mid-level operator who worked around Youngstown, Columbus, and Atlanta.

Investigators said under Howell's direction, the conspirators established shell companies and business bank accounts used to receive and launder at least $16 million obtained through various fraud schemes.

Federal investigators said it was part of a larger conspiracy involving several different fraud schemes designed to dupe unsuspecting law firms, businesses, and people to think they were engaging in legitimate business or financial transactions when, in fact, they were not.

The schemes often involved computer hacking, spoofed emails, and computer takeovers, according to the indictment.

Agents said Howell provided the conspirators in Canada and elsewhere with the numbers and other information about the accounts opened by the defendants.

The victim's funds were transferred into the bank accounts, and at Howell’s direction, fraudulently transferred through several smaller transactions designed to conceal the source of the money.

Investigators say the 20 defendants shared in the proceeds of the fraud schemes.

Those named in the federal indictment include:

Julius Smith Williams, 46; Jamal Perry, 37; Joseph Joe III, 40; William Howell, 47; Terry Marlowe, 53; Emmett Conner, 44; Sterling Green, 47; Keisha Johnson, 32; Kayla Neeley, 29; Isiah Patterson, 29; Donald Washington, Jr., 43; Terrance Phillips, 41; Steve Croom, Jr., 40; Crystal Jefferson, 39; Dulcinea Purdue, 32; Terrance Howard, 43; Cobie Phillips, Jr., 41; Ray Wynn, 43; Jermaine Donlow, 45, and Semira Stone, 29.

They are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Ten other people have already pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.

“These defendants were a vital cog in an international theft ring,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “They laundered millions of dollars of stolen money and now have to answer for their actions.”

Authorities say they don't believe that Howell's murder is related to the money laundering investigation.

Terrell Martin, 37, and Lyric Moore, 21, both of Youngstown, are charged with the murder of Howell, whose body was found inside a burning SUV on Josephine Avenue on February 20.