cryptofraud

Автор новости: Crypto Emergency
Российские киберпреступники, по данным TRM Labs, могут стоять за легализацией более $35 млн в криптовалюте, похищенной у пользователей менеджера паролей LastPass. Эксперты связывают многолетний вывод средств с компрометацией системы безопасности сервиса в 2022 году. Похищенные активы проходили через инфраструктуру, которая исторически ассоциируется с российским теневым рынком.

Как хакеры отмывали украденные средства
Исследователи установили, что злоумышленники активно использовали протоколы конфиденциальности для сокрытия следов. Однако в конечном итоге активы оседали на платформах, работающих в России. Согласно отчёту, вывод средств из скомпрометированных кошельков продолжался вплоть до конца 2025 года.

Хакеры применяли каналы, традиционно используемые российскими киберпреступными группами. Одним из ключевых узлов стала биржа Cryptex, находящаяся под санкциями OFAC. TRM Labs выявила «устойчивый ончейн‑почерк», указывающий на работу единой скоординированной группы. Преступники регулярно конвертировали различные токены в биткоин через сервисы мгновенного обмена, после чего направляли средства в миксеры — Wasabi Wallet и CoinJoin.

Как удалось деанонимизировать транзакции
Миксеры объединяют средства множества пользователей, усложняя отслеживание транзакций. Однако аналитики TRM Labs обнаружили уязвимости в том, как преступники использовали эти инструменты.

Специалисты применили анализ поведенческой непрерывности и изучили цифровые отпечатки, включая особенности импорта приватных ключей в кошельки. Это позволило «размикшировать» транзакции и восстановить цепочку движения средств вплоть до их финального размещения на российских биржах.

Роль российских криптоплатформ
Помимо Cryptex, расследование выявило участие сервиса Audi6, через который прошло около $7 млн украденных активов. TRM Labs отмечает, что кошельки, взаимодействующие с миксерами, демонстрировали связь с Россией как до, так и после операций по отмыванию. Это указывает на то, что хакеры действовали непосредственно из региона, а не просто использовали инфраструктуру.

Полученные данные подтверждают роль отдельных криптоплатформ в поддержке глобальной киберпреступности. Обеспечивая ликвидность и каналы для вывода украденных цифровых активов, такие сервисы помогают преступным группам монетизировать взломы и уходить от международного преследования.
#cybercrime  #lastpass  #cryptosecurity  #BlockchainAnalysis  #CryptoFraud

Here’s the latest major enforcement action where the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cracked down on a crypto fraud ring:
ICIJ
Bitget
Crypto giants moved billions linked to money launderers, drug traffickers and North Korean hackers
Spain Cracks Down on €460M Crypto Fraud Ring
November 25
July 25
📌 What the SEC Action Involves
Who was charged? The SEC filed a civil enforcement complaint against:
Three purported crypto asset trading platforms: Morocoin Tech Corp., Berge Blockchain Technology Co. Ltd., and Cirkor Inc.
Four so-called “investment clubs”: AI Wealth Inc., Lane Wealth Inc., AI Investment Education Foundation Ltd., and Zenith Asset Tech Foundation. �
SEC
What did they do? According to the SEC’s complaint:
The fraud ring targeted U.S. retail investors using social media ads and WhatsApp group chats to lure people into fake crypto investment communities.
Operators posed as “financial professionals,” deployed AI-generated tips and deepfake videos, and guided investors toward bogus trading platforms that claimed government licensing.
Victims were steered to deposit funds into these platforms (Morocoin, Berge, Cirkor), which never facilitated real trading.
In total, investors were defrauded of more than $14 million, with funds routed overseas through bank accounts and crypto wallets. �
SEC +1
How the scam worked (details):
Scammers used investment club WhatsApp groups to build trust and create the illusion of profitable activity.
Once enough money was deposited, victims trying to withdraw their funds were told to pay extra “taxes” or “verification fees” — a classic “pig butchering” confidence scheme.
Funds were misappropriated rather than invested. �
SEC +1
Legal claims and SEC goals
The SEC charged the defendants with violating anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The agency is seeking permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and disgorgement with interest against the accused.
As part of broader investor protection efforts, the SEC also issued warnings about social-media-to-messaging-app scams. �
SEC
📊 Broader Context
This crackdown is part of an ongoing trend in 2025 where regulators globally have been cracking down on crypto-related fraud and illicit activity:
Spain recently dismantled a €460 million crypto fraud ring with more than 5,000 victims. �
Bitget
Major investigations continue to reveal how crypto platforms are used for money laundering and criminal transactions. �
ICIJ
If you’d like, I can also provide tips on how to spot and avoid crypto scams like this one.
#SEC. #CryptoFraud #CryptoScam #InvestorAlert #FinancialCrime

U.S. police have arrested a young man accused of orchestrating a large-scale crypto fraud worth $16 million. He allegedly impersonated a customer support employee at a trading platform and lured victims into transferring their digital assets.
#CryptoFraud
#BreakingNews
#NewYork
#CryptoScam
#7code
$BTC
$ETH
$XRP

The leading figures behind the IcomTech cryptocurrency project built an image of success through flashy lifestyles, luxury cars, and extravagant events. Behind the façade, however, was a classic Ponzi scheme that cost investors millions of dollars. One of the key promoters has now paid a heavy price for his role.
On Thursday, a U.S. court sentenced Magdaleno Mendoza to 71 months in prison for his involvement in a large-scale crypto fraud that primarily targeted Spanish-speaking working-class investors. Mendoza was one of the main promoters of IcomTech, a project that outwardly presented itself as a cryptocurrency mining and trading company.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, IcomTech launched in mid-2018 and collapsed by the end of 2019. Investors were promised guaranteed daily returns supposedly generated through crypto trading and mining. In reality, the operation functioned as a multi-level marketing Ponzi scheme, using funds from new participants to pay earlier investors while promoters siphoned off hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal use.

In addition to his prison sentence, Mendoza was ordered to pay $789,218.94 in restitution and forfeit approximately $1.5 million in assets, including a home in Downey, California, that had been purchased with proceeds from the scheme.
Investigators found that Mendoza was no newcomer to such operations. He had previously promoted at least two other crypto Ponzi schemes and was among the longest-serving promoters at IcomTech. He maintained close contact with the project’s founder, David Carmona, and played an active role in recruiting new investors.
Mendoza even used his own restaurant in the Los Angeles area to host promotional events, collecting thousands of dollars in cash from attendees. Promoters traveled across the United States staging lavish presentations, arriving in luxury vehicles and wearing designer clothing. Meanwhile, victims watched fictitious “profits” grow on internal dashboards to which they had no real access.
By August 2018, withdrawal requests began to face delays, excuses, and hidden fees. In response, IcomTech introduced its own internal token, “Icoms,” falsely marketed as valuable for future payments and investments. In reality, the token was worthless and only deepened investors’ losses.
According to Ari Redbord, global head of policy at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs and a former U.S. federal prosecutor, these types of schemes systematically exploit vulnerabilities within immigrant communities. Promoters often share the same language and cultural background as their victims, which lowers skepticism and increases trust. They also take advantage of limited access to traditional financial services and a lack of regulatory warnings in victims’ primary languages.
Redbord noted that a 71-month sentence aligns with how courts currently approach large-scale crypto Ponzi schemes, especially where there is clear intent, significant harm to victims, and sustained promotion. He added that courts today focus less on the label “cryptocurrency” and more on traditional fraud factors such as scale, duration, losses, and leadership roles.
Mendoza’s sentence was also influenced by his illegal presence in the United States. He had lived in the country unlawfully for decades, had been deported four times—once under a false identity—and continued promoting at least three additional crypto Ponzi schemes after IcomTech collapsed.
Several other co-conspirators have been separately convicted and sentenced for their roles in the scheme, including founder David Carmona, alleged CEO Marco Ruiz Ochoa, web developer Gustavo Rodriguez, and leading promoters David Brend, Juan Arellano, and Moses Valdez.
Redbord emphasized that repeat promoters remain one of the toughest challenges in combating crypto fraud. Many move from one scheme to another, rebrand their presentations, and target new communities across platforms and jurisdictions. The IcomTech case, he said, shows that even when promoters resurface, their past eventually catches up with them.

#Cryptoscam , #CryptoFraud , #CryptoInvesting , #CryptoCrime , #worldnews

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,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched another crackdown on fraudulent activity in the crypto industry. This time, it’s targeting Dan C. Vo – the CEO of the now-defunct Bitcoin mining company VBit Technologies. According to the lawsuit, Vo embezzled $48.5 million from investors, some of which was allegedly used for gambling and personal family expenses.
The complaint was filed on December 17, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

Raised Over $95 Million – But Mining Was Mostly Fictional
From December 2018 to February 2022, VBit raised more than $95.6 million from around 6,400 investors. The company promised “passive income” through Bitcoin mining with no technical headaches. But in reality, Vo allegedly sold hosting contracts for far more mining equipment than the company actually operated.
Investors could choose from six “mining hosting packages,” with the top-tier plan costing over $113,000. These packages promised returns without direct involvement, but the SEC classified them as unregistered securities. According to the complaint, investors were reliant on the efforts of third parties to generate profit.

VBit Faced State Sanctions Before Federal Action
Before the SEC’s intervention, several U.S. states had already taken enforcement actions:
🔹 California – Cease and desist order issued in January 2024, affecting over 1,000 residents

🔹 Washington – $15,000 fine and refund orders totaling $156,000

🔹 Montana – $180,000 penalty and restitution to three known victims

Fake Acquisition and a Fast Collapse
In January 2022, VBit announced it had been acquired by Advanced Mining Group for $105 million. However, the SEC alleges that Advanced Mining didn’t exist as a legitimate business before the “acquisition.” Neither VBit nor Advanced Mining registered any securities with the SEC, nor did they attempt to.
The rebranded operation collapsed just weeks after the acquisition, and VBit completely vanished from the crypto scene.

SEC Seeks Heavy Penalties for Vo
The Securities and Exchange Commission is now demanding:
🔹 A permanent ban on Vo serving as an officer or director of any public company

🔹 Full disgorgement of misappropriated funds, with interest

🔹 Civil monetary penalties

🔹 Court orders preventing future violations of securities laws
Whether Dan C. Vo will stand trial remains to be seen. One thing is clear – the crypto space continues to be fertile ground for both innovation and multi-million dollar fraud.

#CryptoFraud , #Bitcoinmining , #Cryptoscam , #DigitalAssets , #CryptoRegulation

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Seized Notebooks Revealed Sophisticated Scams
Hong Kong police uncovered a sophisticated fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence to deceive victims. The investigation led to the seizure of over HK$34 million (approximately USD 3.37 million). Notebooks confiscated by law enforcement revealed the criminals' methods, including the use of deepfake technology to appear more convincing.
How the Fraudsters Lured Their Victims
The fraudsters pretended to be wealthy single women, crafting stories about interests such as learning Japanese, playing golf, or tasting luxury wines worth over HK$100,000 (USD 12,850) per bottle. These methods were documented in the notebooks seized during the operation.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals connected to a criminal syndicate. This group used artificial intelligence to create realistic images of attractive women, which were then used to lure victims into romantic and investment scams.
The Problem of Deepfake Scams
Byron Boston, a former police officer and CEO of Crypto Track, warned that the combination of deepfake technology and social engineering presents significant challenges for investigators and law enforcement. AI-generated images make criminals more convincing and enable them to execute more complex scams.
Boston highlighted an incident from November 2022, where a fake video impersonating FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was used in a phishing attack targeting FTX users. This incident demonstrates how deepfake technologies can be exploited to steal cryptocurrency assets from victims.
Scams Targeting Young People
Confiscated materials revealed that the fraudsters specifically targeted young people seeking quick earnings. Victims were often convinced they were communicating with ideal women from Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Challenges in Combating These Crimes
Boston emphasized that effective collaboration and swift action are key to fighting these sophisticated scams. However, he noted that many local law enforcement agencies, particularly in the U.S., lack the necessary tools and expertise to track stolen cryptocurrency or cooperate with international exchanges.
Criminals leveraging technologies like deepfake and social engineering remain a significant challenge for security forces worldwide.

#Deepfake , #CryptoFraud , #CryptoScams , #cybercrime , #CryptoNewss

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Federal Court Confirms the Extent of SBF’s Forfeited Assets
The U.S. government has officially finalized the confiscation of Sam Bankman-Fried's (SBF) assets, the former CEO of the collapsed FTX exchange. Among the most notable items on the nearly $1 billion forfeiture list are $606 million from the sale of Robinhood shares and two private jets.
Court documents detail dozens of pages of assets that SBF owned before his conviction for fraud, including vast cryptocurrency holdings, bank accounts, investments, and political contributions.
💰 The Largest Asset: $606 Million in Robinhood Shares
The most valuable forfeited asset was $606 million from the sale of Robinhood shares, held by Emergent Fidelity Technologies, one of SBF’s firms.
Other seized financial assets include:
✅ $119 million in Tether (USDT) on Binance for Alameda Research
✅ $21 million in Marex, held for Emergent Fidelity Technologies
✅ $50 million in Moonstone Bank, designated for FTX Digital Markets
✅ $101 million in Silvergate, also for FTX Digital Markets
✅ $7 million in Flagstar Bank, held under SBF and another individual
✈️ Two Private Jets Among the Seized Assets
Luxury items seized in the case include two private jets:
2009 Bombardier Global 50002006 Embraer Legacy
These jets were part of Bankman-Fried’s extravagant lifestyle, despite his public image as a modest billionaire.
🔗 Alameda’s Crypto Portfolio – Millions in Digital Assets
Alongside traditional assets, the government seized a significant cryptocurrency portfolio belonging to Alameda Research, the trading firm co-founded by SBF.
📌 According to records, assets on Binance included:
$56 million in XRP (Ripple)$3.6 million in TRX (Tron)$3.4 million in ADA (Cardano)$2.3 million in BTC (Bitcoin)Numerous other smaller cryptocurrency holdings
💸 Political Donations Totaling Hundreds of Millions
Court filings also exposed a vast network of political contributions, with over 250 individual donations.
🔹 FTX and SBF played a major role in financing U.S. politics, with one in three members of Congress reportedly receiving funds from Bankman-Fried or other FTX executives.
🔹 Donations were distributed among various campaigns and organizations, spanning both federal and state-level political entities.
🔹 Documents suggest that some FTX executives made donations on behalf of SBF, possibly to bypass political funding limits.
⚖️ FTX Begins First Payouts to Creditors
Alongside the asset forfeiture ruling, FTX has begun its first round of repayments to creditors.
✅ A total of $1.2 billion has been distributed to those with smaller claims.
✅ These creditors received approximately 119% of their original holdings, based on the value they had at the time of FTX’s collapse in 2022.
✅ However, they missed out on the significant crypto market recovery that could have yielded even greater returns.
🔮 What’s Next?
🔹 More rounds of FTX creditor repayments are expected – the key question remains whether all victims will receive fair compensation.
🔹 Investigations into SBF’s political funding could lead to further legal consequences.
🔹 The fate of luxury assets, including the private jets, will likely be decided through government auctions.
👉 What do you think about the fate of Sam Bankman-Fried’s seized assets? Should the government redistribute the funds to affected investors? Share your thoughts! ⚖️🚀

#SamBankman-Fried , #FTX , #CryptoNewss , #CryptoFraud , #FTXScamAlert

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“