It is not about law enforcement either. It's about debating whether he's the sharpest tool in the shed or not. I contend that running such a criminal enterprise is no easy feat for a teenager despite the rookie mistakes he committed.
How you are going to legally come up with money is the question and there are no real shortcuts there other than to get lucky. But with his skills properly applied he would have a much better chance at a nice life than he has today. Money doesn't really matter much if you're in a jail cell.