FBI

Just yesterday, he was calling for an extra billion. Today, he says he’ll make do with less. That’s the unexpected shift from FBI Director Kash Patel, who went from defending a funding increase to supporting White House-driven budget cuts in less than 24 hours. His turnaround comes as the administration pushes to slash federal spending by $163 billion.

What happened?
During a congressional hearing, Patel warned that the proposed cuts could seriously undermine the FBI’s ability to combat terrorism, violent crime, and cyber threats. He stressed that going back to 2011 funding levels was unrealistic, and the bureau needed at least $11.1 billion to maintain operations without layoffs.
But a day later, he struck a different tone: “We’ll accept the budget, adjust our priorities, and handle it.” The sudden shift sparked confusion on Capitol Hill.

Congress Left Guessing: No Plan in Sight
Several lawmakers were visibly taken aback. Senator Patty Murray criticized the FBI for its lack of transparency, noting that the agency had failed to provide any clear roadmap for how it would operate under tighter finances.
Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican, warned that the cuts might lead to unfilled or eliminated positions — directly affecting the bureau’s national security capabilities.

Political Whiplash
What’s especially surprising is that Patel recently urged lawmakers to ignore Trump’s proposal to cut FBI funding, calling it inadequate. Now, he’s in alignment with a scaled-down budget. During the hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro pressed Patel to specify which jobs would be lost and reminded him that the budget was created by the bureau itself, not imposed from outside.

So, What’s Actually Being Cut?
No one knows. The White House’s proposal references “redundant operations,” outdated projects, and diversity programs — but provides no concrete breakdown of which specific roles or departments at the FBI are on the chopping block.
That ambiguity is what frustrates lawmakers the most. Without clear details, it’s impossible to know whether the FBI is protecting its critical functions or simply cutting blindly.

🟦 What Comes Next?
Whether Patel’s change of heart stems from genuine conviction or political necessity is unclear. But one thing’s certain — the FBI now faces tense budget negotiations, and lawmakers are demanding straight answers.

#whitehouse , #USPolitics , #FBI , #USGovernment , #worldnews

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In an effort to combat the sharply increasing cryptocurrency fraud, the FBI has just launched Operation Level Up, which has saved over 4,300 victims from losses of up to $285 million. This campaign aims to mitigate damages from cryptocurrency investment scams, estimated at up to $3.9 billion just in 2023.
The Trick "Pig Butchering" and the Fraud Target
According to reports from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) of #FBI , around 3,200 complaints related to cryptocurrency investment fraud are filed each month. These scams are often negatively referred to as "pig butchering" – implying fattening the prey with promises of huge profits before suddenly seizing all assets.

The UAE-based company CLS Global agreed to accept U.S. charges that they manipulated the value of a special FBI-created cryptocurrency token used to fight crypto fraud. 
The FBI’s first-ever operation to fight cryptocurrency fraud charged CLS Global as one of 15 individuals and three companies. Prosecutors say CLS Global provided illegal trading services to cryptocurrency companies and agreed to help manipulate the market for the FBI-backed NexFundAI token, which runs on the Ethereum blockchain.
The company told investigators it made fake trades to make the token’s price and trading activity look higher than they really were. CLS Global must pay $428,059 and cannot trade cryptocurrencies on U.S. platforms or serve U.S. clients. 
To show it follows the rules, CLS Global must give proof of compliance once a year. The company also says it will pay back the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for breaking its rules.
The case shows regulators are paying closer attention to crypto companies, and shows how essential it is for these firms to follow U.S. rules when dealing with digital currencies.
#FBI #crypto #CryptoSurge2025

Americans lost $9.3 billion to crypto fraud in 2024, according to FBI data. The majority of the scams involved fake exchanges, rug pulls, and fraudulent investment apps.

Authorities are urging users to verify platforms and be skeptical of “too good to be true” returns.
#FBI #TRUMP

The FBI operated the crypto money laundering network named Elon Musk for nearly a year – A shocking truth from court records

A new investigation has revealed a shocking truth: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been running an undercover cryptocurrency money laundering campaign branded #ElonMusk , lasting nearly a year, while posing as a cybercriminal to continue processing transactions for hackers and drug traffickers.

💰 On February 21, 2025, hackers stole 401,000 Ethereum (~$1.5 billion) from Bybit's cold wallet. This is the largest hack in the crypto industry!

🔍 How did this happen?
Hackers compromised Bybit's offline wallet during the transfer of funds to a hot wallet. The cryptocurrency was quickly withdrawn to unknown addresses and began to move.

Federal prosecutors in Boston have filed “the first-ever criminal charges against financial firms for crypto market manipulation and wash trading.”
Eighteen individuals and entities are accused of large-scale fraud and manipulation of the cryptocurrency market, including the heads of market making companies Gotbit, ZM Quant, CLS Global, MyTrad and several crypto projects.

An Indian man, Anurag Pramod Murarka, has been sentenced to 121 months in prison in the US for running a global money laundering network that processed more than $20 million in illegal profits.

Case details

According to the ruling from Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, Murarka used cryptocurrency trading platforms and hawala systems to launder money from illegal activities, including drug trafficking and cyberattacks.

In a groundbreaking achievement, the FBI has successfully penetrated the smartphone of the individual who targeted Trump, effectively bypassing the encryption and gaining access to the encrypted data. This significant development has revolutionized the investigation, endowing law enforcement agents with invaluable insights into the attacker's motives and potential affiliations with other individuals.

The meticulous analysis of the smartphone data has yielded a plethora of noteworthy discoveries. Most notably, it has exposed the perpetrator's affiliation with a specific extremist organization, serving as further corroboration of suspicions that the attack was politically motivated.

Furthermore, the smartphone data has played an indispensable role in reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to and during the assault. Investigators have ascertained that the assailant painstakingly acquired intricate details about Trump's schedule and whereabouts, providing compelling evidence of a meticulously orchestrated and premeditated assault.

It is of utmost importance to highlight that the breach of the smartphone was conducted in full compliance with all legal protocols and regulations. The investigation remains resolute in its unwavering commitment to uncover every facet and underlying cause of this incident.

#Trump2024 #hacking #attacked #fbi #BTC

A *Las Vegas resident*, *Brent Kovar*, has been *charged* by U.S. regulators for allegedly *defrauding over 400 investors* out of *24 million* through a deceptive *AI-driven cryptocurrency mining scheme*. This case is a reminder of the dark side of the crypto world and the importance of staying alert. 🧐

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*How Did It Happen? 🤔*

Kovar's company, *Profit Connect*, claimed to be a high-tech AI firm that was involved in *crypto mining* and *transaction verification*. He *lured investors* with promises of *lucrative returns*, offering *fixed annual returns of 15% to 30%* and a *100% money-back guarantee*. On top of that, he misled investors into believing that their money was *secure* and backed by the *Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)*. 😳

However, it turns out these promises were *false*. Kovar used the investors' funds to live an *extravagant lifestyle*, purchasing gifts for employees, buying a *house*, and *repaying investors* to keep the scheme going – all under the guise of crypto profits. 💸💎

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*Charges and Consequences 🚔*
Now, Kovar is facing *12 counts of wire fraud*, *3 counts of mail fraud*, and *3 counts of money laundering*. If convicted, he could be looking at a *maximum of 330 years in prison* and a *4.5 million fine*. 😳

This case is just one of many in a *broader crackdown* on *crypto-related Ponzi schemes*. Just recently, another promoter of a crypto Ponzi scheme, *Antonia Perez Hernandez*, was sentenced to *over two years in prison* for *conspiracy to commit wire fraud*. ⚖️

—

*A Wider Problem: Crypto Fraud 🕵️‍♂️*

This case is part of an ongoing effort to fight crypto fraud. The *FBI’s “Operation Level Up”* saved *285 million* in potential fraud losses between January 2024 and January 2025. 🚨 It’s clear that regulators are ramping up their efforts to hold scammers accountable and protect investors.

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*Why Is This Important? 🚨*

- *Do your research*: Before investing in any crypto opportunity, always look for *verified information* and *avoid promises of “too good to be true” returns*.
- *Understand the risks*: Crypto is volatile, and *scams are unfortunately part of the landscape*. Make sure you only invest in *reputable projects*.
- *Stay vigilant*: If something feels off, trust your instincts and *walk away*.

---

*Final Thoughts 🤯*
While crypto offers great opportunities, it’s essential to stay cautious and avoid falling for schemes like Kovar’s. Let’s learn from this case, stay informed, and keep our investments safe. 💡

$BTC
$ETH
$BNB

#CryptoFraud #ponzischeme #CryptoScams #CryptoNews #FBI

The world of cryptocurrency and digital finance is often filled with high-tech schemes and complex operations. However, an unlikely location—a rural post office in Kentucky—became the center of one of the most remarkable FBI undercover operations in recent history, involving a crypto laundering business with an Elon Musk theme.

## 🔎 The Origins of the Crypto Laundering Network
### The Key Figure: Anurag Pramod Murarka
The story begins with Anurag Pramod Murarka, a 30-year-old Indian national. Operating under dark web aliases such as “elonmuskwhm” and “la2nyc,” Murarka may have had a quirky online identity, but he was a serious player in the global money laundering network. He provided “services” to a shady clientele, including drug dealers, hackers, and cybercriminals. His promise was to quickly and discreetly turn their crypto into clean cash. It's like he was running a digital laundry service for illegal money. 🧺
### The Hawala-Inspired Method
Murarka's method was a modern take on the ancient hawala system, which involves transferring money outside of formal banking channels. He moved millions of dollars through crypto wallets and then resorted to a rather low-tech way of getting the cash across: mailing it hidden inside children’s books, notepads, and unmarked envelopes. It's a strange mix of high-tech digital transactions and old-fashioned postal delivery. From 2021 to 2023, he managed to facilitate the laundering of over $20 million, making him a prominent figure in the digital underworld. 💰

## 🚨 The FBI's Intervention and Unusual Strategy
### Capturing Murarka
When the FBI finally caught up with Murarka, they didn't follow the usual route of immediate arrest. Instead, they lured him to the U.S. with a visa and apprehended him at the airport. This was just the beginning of a much more elaborate plan. It's like setting a trap for a狡猾的猎物, waiting for the right moment to spring it. 🪤
### Taking Over the Operation
The most shocking part came when the FBI decided not to shut down Murarka's operation but to take it over. Agents started impersonating him online, responding to client messages, receiving crypto payments, and conducting meetings. Their goal was to map out the broader network and track new money flows. From that unassuming Kentucky post office, they essentially ran a digital empire, intercepting and decoding encrypted transactions. It's as if they stepped into Murarka's shoes and continued his illegal business, but with a completely different agenda. 🕵️‍♂️

## 📈 The Success of the Undercover Operation
### Preventing Further Laundering
During this sting operation, the FBI was able to prevent an additional $1.4 million from being laundered. This not only stopped the flow of illegal money but also sent a strong message to other would-be criminals in the digital underworld. It's like putting a roadblock on a highway of illegal transactions. 🚧
### Gathering Intelligence
In addition to preventing laundering, the FBI gathered critical intelligence on dozens of suspects. By posing as Murarka, they were able to gain access to information that would have been nearly impossible to obtain otherwise. This intelligence could be crucial in future investigations and prosecutions. It's like having a key to a secret door that reveals all the hidden secrets of the criminal network. 🔑

## ⚖️ Murarka's Punishment and the Broader Implications
### Sentencing and Consequences
In January, Murarka was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, with at least 85% of the sentence to be served. He will also face three years of supervised release and is likely to be deported. This punishment serves as a deterrent to others involved in similar illegal activities. It's a clear indication that the law will catch up with those who try to use cryptocurrency for illegal purposes. ⚖️
### Ties to Other Criminal Groups
Authorities believe that Murarka may have had ties to the infamous Scattered Spider hacker group, which has been linked to attacks on major U.S. corporations. This connection adds another layer of complexity to the case and highlights the interconnectedness of different types of cybercrime. It's like uncovering a web of criminal activity that extends far beyond just crypto laundering. 🕸️
### A Landmark Victory
The U.S. Department of Justice called the sting a landmark victory against the digital laundering underworld. In a world where anonymous transactions in cryptocurrency are increasingly being used to launder money from ransomware, narcotics, and cybercrime, this operation shows that law enforcement agencies are capable of fighting back. It's a reminder that even the most high-tech crimes can be defeated with a combination of old-school investigative grit and innovative strategies. 🌟

*Disclaimer: The cryptocurrency market and associated criminal activities, such as the crypto laundering case described in this article, are complex and subject to change. The information provided about the FBI's operation, Anurag Pramod Murarka's activities, and the implications for the cryptocurrency space is for general informational purposes only. There are no guarantees regarding the future prevention of crypto laundering, the accuracy of the intelligence gathered, or the stability of the cryptocurrency market. The cryptocurrency industry is influenced by a wide range of factors, including regulatory changes, technological developments, and criminal innovation. Before engaging in any cryptocurrency-related activities, you should conduct thorough research, consider your own financial situation and risk tolerance, and consult a qualified financial advisor. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risks, including the potential loss of your entire investment, and may also be subject to legal and regulatory uncertainties.*

**#MoneyLaundering , #FBI , #CryptoNews🚀🔥 , #CryptoCrime , #ElonMusk **