cryptocrime

У Барселоні група крадіїв протаранила вітрину і викрала банкомат для криптовалют. Повідомляється, що банкомат був вивезений, а злодії згодом з’ясували: він не містив жодних фізичних монет чи значної цінності — тільки електроніку.
Цей інцидент став вірусним не через масштаб втрат — а через те, як він демонструє прикре нерозуміння суті криптовалют деякими громадянами. У традиційному банкоматі ви штовхаєте пластикову картку, отримуєте фіатні гроші. У біткоїн-банкоматі — ви вводите реквізити своєї карти, отримуєте токени на свій крипто гаманець. Айті-логіка трошки інша.
🧠 Що це означає
Ще раз, криптовалюта — це не “гроші в коробці”. Це цифровий запис у блокчейні; фізичних монет немає і ніколи не існувало.Навіть злодіям треба навчатися, щоб не стати черговими жертвами хайпу чи міфів. Якщо BTC банкомат виглядає як “ідеальна здобич”, в кінці кінців це приведе до комічного фейлу, а не “великого пограбування сторіччя”.
Я бачу в цьому суміш кримінальної комедії та загальної потреби в навчанні. Цей випадок — не просто смішний сюжет, а привід замислитися: наскільки пересічні громадяни справді розуміють, як працює криптовалюта?
💬 Друже, напиши в коментарях, чи бачив ти щось подібне в своїй країні — і як це вплинуло на твоє ставлення до криптогаманців, банкоматів чи “безпечності” цифрових активів?
#CryptoEducation #Web3UA #CryptoCrime

Thai authorities have announced the arrest of Chinese national Liang Ai-Bing, accused of orchestrating a massive cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that allegedly defrauded nearly 100 investors out of more than 100 million yuan (approximately $14 million).
The arrest took place in Bangkok, where Liang had been living in a luxurious three-story villa since December 2024, paying 150,000 baht ($4,645) in monthly rent — a stark contrast to the victims who lost their life savings.

Luxury Lifestyle, Illegal Weapons, and Escape from China
During a raid by Thailand’s elite 191 Police Unit, investigators discovered a Beretta handgun and 20 rounds of ammunition.

Liang was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as unlawful entry into the country.
According to Thai and Chinese police, Liang had four accomplices — Al Qing-Hua, Wu Jiang-Yan, Tang Zhen-Que, and Zuo Lai-Jun.

While Zuo was captured and released on bail, the remaining suspects are still at large.
Chinese authorities revealed that between December 2022 and May 2023, the group created a fraudulent crypto investment platform called FINTOCH, luring investors with promises of high, guaranteed returns.

In reality, it was a classic Ponzi scheme, collapsing after the operators siphoned off investors’ funds.

FINTOCH — A Fraud Disguised as a Global Fintech Project
The FINTOCH platform targeted investors through mobile apps and social media, falsely claiming to be affiliated with Morgan Stanley — an allegation that was quickly refuted.

The investment bank confirmed it had no connection to the project, does not solicit investors via email or social media, and does not trade crypto on behalf of clients.
Investigations also found that the so-called “CEO,” Bobby Lambert, was a paid actor, not a real person.

Crypto investigator ZachXBT reported that FINTOCH drained more than 31 million USDT, transferring the funds from Binance Smart Chain to addresses on Tron and Ethereum — after which investors were unable to withdraw their money.

Scams Targeting the Financially Vulnerable
According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the project amassed over $31 million in user deposits before disappearing in May 2023.

MAS also confirmed that FINTOCH was not affiliated with MariBank Singapore Private Limited, despite claiming otherwise.
ZachXBT emphasized that such scams often target communities with low financial literacy, exploiting their lack of knowledge about crypto investments.
“It’s unlikely that victims will recover their funds, but they should still report the fraud to their local authorities,” he warned.

Ponzi Schemes Still Threaten the Crypto Space
A report by Immunefi, a blockchain security platform, revealed that cases like FINTOCH were among the main contributors to a 63% year-over-year increase in crypto-related losses during Q2 2023.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even as global regulations tighten, cryptocurrency remains a magnet for scammers who prey on greed and false promises of easy profits.
Liang Ai-Bing is now awaiting extradition to China, where he will face charges of financial fraud, money laundering, and organized crime.



#Cryptoscam , #blockchain , #CryptoFraud , #CryptoCrime , #CryptoNews

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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.“

A Beijing court has sentenced five individuals to prison for operating an extensive illegal foreign exchange scheme worth over 1.18 billion yuan (approximately $160 million), using cryptocurrencies — primarily Tether (USDT) — to transfer funds across borders and disguise illicit transactions.

Cross-border crypto network exposed
According to court documents, Lin Jia, along with Lin Chen, Bao, Yi, and Xia, established a network of bank accounts and cards to move large sums of money between clients and an underground money exchange business.
The group converted the received RMB into USDT via multiple Tether accounts, then transferred the assets abroad under the guise of legitimate transactions. Each defendant was found to have facilitated transfers ranging from 149 million to 469 million yuan.
The court concluded that the defendants were fully aware of the illegal nature of their activities and intentionally used cryptocurrency as a cover for unlawful forex operations. All five pleaded guilty and received prison sentences of two to four years. The ruling is final, with no appeals filed.

“Crypto trading is no excuse,” says the court
The Beijing Municipal People’s Procuratorate (BMP) emphasized that this case demonstrates how cryptocurrencies can be exploited for money laundering and cross-border fund transfers — but firmly rejected the defendants’ claim that their actions were simply “crypto trading.”
The court described such arguments as an “unreasonable excuse”, stressing that the defendants acted with full knowledge of their violations of China’s foreign exchange laws.

Investigators trace crypto despite blockchain anonymity
Authorities revealed that the investigation combined traditional forensic analysis with real-time blockchain tracking. By correlating timestamps between bank transactions and blockchain movements, investigators were able to map out a network of Tether wallets used in the operation.
The BMP noted that this case sets a benchmark for future financial crime investigations involving digital assets, integrating bank records, on-chain analytics, and international cooperation into a single evidence framework.

China intensifies crackdown on crypto-related crimes
Prosecutors acknowledged that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using mixers, privacy tools, and foreign exchanges beyond Chinese jurisdiction. Still, the BMP vowed to pursue these crimes aggressively.
China plans to strengthen legal enforcement against financial offenses involving cryptocurrencies, enhance technological monitoring, and expand cross-border investigative capabilities.
The agency emphasized that even in the era of digital finance, blockchain anonymity offers no shield from the law — and that this ruling will serve as a precedent for similar cases going forward.


#CryptoNews , #CryptoCrime , #china , #USDT , #Regulation

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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.“

In short: The FireBunnyUSA network operated for three years, shipping over 10,000 packages containing cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine across all 50 U.S. states while laundering millions of dollars through cryptocurrencies. Five individuals have pleaded guilty; the ringleader received a 6.5-year prison sentence, and authorities seized dozens of bitcoins and thousands of XMR.

What Happened — Quick Summary
🔹 Who: Nan Wu, Peng Peng Tang, Bowen Chen, Zixiang Lin, and Katie Montgomery — all pleaded guilty for their role in the FireBunnyUSA operation.

🔹 When: From January 2019 to August 2022.

🔹 What They Sold: Cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine, delivered to all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

🔹 Scale: More than 10,000 packages shipped nationwide.

🔹 Money Laundered: Over $7.9 million within the group, including $3.1 million from crypto exchange proceeds.

🔹 Assets Seized: Around 20 BTC, 3,297 XMR, and $12,857 in cash confiscated from Wu and associates.

🔹 Sentence: Nan Wu was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison after pleading guilty on April 3 to selling controlled substances and money laundering.


How the Scheme Worked: Monero → Bitcoin → Fiat
The group used a sophisticated rotation of privacy coins and exchanges. They first converted drug profits into Monero (XMR) — a cryptocurrency built for anonymity — then back into Bitcoin before moving funds through exchange accounts controlled by Wu, Tang, and others.

At least $2.4 million worth of Bitcoin was exchanged abroad into Chinese yuan, while another $734,000 passed through U.S.-based exchanges.
Investigators made 11 undercover purchases between June 2021 and August 2022, including deliveries directly to Manhattan. Tang’s phone alone contained nearly $900,000 in crypto, proving that digital traces can still lead to tangible money.

What Authorities Said
The Manhattan District Attorney described the scheme as a “brazen attempt to exploit the dark web to hide a nationwide drug trafficking operation.”

Even though much of the activity took place online, prosecutors stressed that it still fuels the same violent and destructive drug trade that affects local communities.

Bigger Picture — The Rise and Limits of Privacy Coins
Experts note a growing trend of criminals turning to privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero and Zcash for their anonymity. However, most illicit activity still involves mainstream coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins — simply because they’re easier to convert into fiat money.
Importantly, even privacy coins leave immutable transaction records on the blockchain. That means evidence of illegal transfers can still be analyzed and prosecuted — sometimes years later.

Key Takeaway
This case proves that even the most “invisible” darknet operations aren’t untouchable. A combination of traditional detective work and blockchain forensics continues to uncover sophisticated criminal networks. Online anonymity does not mean immunity.


#CryptoCrime , #darkweb , #bitcoin , #CryptoNews , #blockchain

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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.“

The Health Sector #cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) in the United States has announced that at least one healthcare institution in the U.S. has been hit by the Trinity ransomware, a new threat targeting critical infrastructure.
The Threat of Trinity Ransomware and How It Works
A U.S. government agency issued a warning regarding the Trinity ransomware, which targets victims and extorts them for #CryptocurrencyPayments in exchange for not leaking sensitive data. This ransomware uses various attack methods, including phishing emails, malicious websites, and exploiting software vulnerabilities.
Once it infiltrates a system, the ransomware scans the victim's computer, collects sensitive information, and encrypts files using advanced encryption algorithms, rendering them unreadable. #hackers then leave a message in the computer informing the victim that their data has been encrypted and demanding a ransom in exchange for a decryption key.
Hackers’ Demands: 24-Hour Deadline for Payment
In the ransom note, victims are warned that they have only 24 hours to pay the ransom in cryptocurrency, or their data will be leaked or sold. HC3 noted that there are currently no available decryption tools for Trinity ransomware, leaving victims with few options for recovery.
"Victims have 24 hours to contact the cybercriminals, and if they fail to do so, the stolen data will be leaked or sold," HC3 reported. The ransomware primarily targets critical infrastructure, including healthcare providers.
Attacks on Healthcare Institutions
The Trinity ransomware has already affected seven organizations, with healthcare facilities being one of its primary targets. HC3 reported that at least one healthcare entity in the U.S. was recently impacted by this ransomware, raising concerns about cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.
Crypto Ransom Payments Reached $1 Billion in 2023
According to the Chainalysis 2024 #cryptocrime Report, ransomware attackers received approximately $1.1 billion in cryptocurrency payments in 2023. These ransoms were paid by high-profile institutions and critical infrastructure, with attacks ranging from small criminal groups to large syndicates.
The report also revealed that 538 new ransomware variants were created in 2023, with major corporations like BBC and British Airways being among the primary targets of these attacks.
#cyberattacks

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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.“

 

Two men who exploited the chaos of the war in Ukraine for personal gain have been sentenced in the UK to 13 years in prison each, after laundering over $7.3 million through cryptocurrency.

💰 Exploiting Ukraine's Demand for Trucks and Supplies
Valeriy Popovych (52) and Vitaliy Lutsak (43) were part of a criminal network that purchased vehicles and equipment allegedly destined for Ukraine, using proceeds from illegal activities. These transactions were disguised as legitimate trade, but in reality, it was a large-scale crypto money laundering operation.
The two were found guilty on April 7 at Wood Green Crown Court following a five-week trial.

🏠 London Property and Millions in Crypto Wallets
Part of the laundered funds was used to purchase a luxury home in London worth over $1.2 million. During the investigation, British police uncovered that the gang channeled more than $14 million in crypto through digital wallets, stored on personal computers to conceal the origin of the funds.
A third suspect, Valeriy’s wife Oksana Popovych (42), is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30. A fourth member, Semen Kuksov, was already jailed in February for over five years.

⚖️ Crypto Loopholes Enabled a Shadow Business
Authorities confirmed the gang took full advantage of the lack of cryptocurrency regulation, which allowed them to move illicit funds with ease and build a multi-million-dollar operation in just over a year.
Investigators revealed the group not only laundered criminal proceeds but also ran an unregistered money services business, breaching UK financial laws.

🗣️ Police: They Turned War into a Business Model
Lead investigator Harry Davies of the Metropolitan Police said:
“Mr. Popovych presented himself as a hardworking, legitimate truck dealer. In reality, he ruthlessly saw the Ukraine conflict as a lucrative opportunity for profit.”

Special Crown Prosecutor Negeen Momtahen added:
“Money laundering is not a victimless crime. It enables criminals to continue harming lives. This conviction shows that crime in the crypto world won't go unpunished.”

Summary: Crypto, War, and Greed Collide
At a time when the world watches Ukraine suffer, this group created a profitable shadow operation—using crypto and fake legitimacy. But UK authorities sent a strong message: Money laundering won’t be tolerated, no matter how deeply it’s buried in the blockchain.

#MoneyLaundering , #CryptoCrime , #CryptoSecurity , #crypto , #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.“

The U.S. Department of Justice has expanded its indictment in one of the largest crypto crime cases to date. Twelve new individuals have been charged in connection with a cybercrime gang that allegedly stole 4,100 Bitcoins — worth around $263 million — primarily from a single victim.

From Online Gaming Friends to a Coordinated Cybercrime Ring
According to investigators, the group began operating in October 2023, starting as a group of friends who bonded over online games. But their hobby turned dark as they evolved into an organized extortion network. Most of the accused — aged between 18 and 22 — hail from California and used online aliases such as “Goth Ferrari” and “The Accountant.”
Several suspects have already been arrested, while two others are believed to be hiding in Dubai.

Hacks, Break-ins, and Stolen Hardware Wallets
The DOJ describes a wide range of criminal tactics:
🔹 Hacking databases and stealing credentials

🔹 Impersonating customer support agents

🔹 Calling victims to carry out social engineering attacks

🔹 Breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets
One of the most striking incidents occurred on August 18, 2024, when lead defendant Malone Lam allegedly tricked a victim into handing over more than 4,100 Bitcoins.
In another case, Lam reportedly hacked into a victim’s iCloud account to track their location, while accomplice Marlon Ferro broke into the victim’s home to steal physical wallets.

Sophisticated Laundering with Peel Chains and Mixers
To cover their tracks, the group used advanced money laundering methods:
🔹 VPNs and crypto mixing services

🔹 “Peel chains” — where stolen crypto is moved through dozens or hundreds of wallets, peeling off small amounts at each step
The defendants are now facing charges under the RICO Act, as well as wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Flashy Lifestyles: From Crypto to Clubs, Cars, and Private Jets
The group didn’t hold back when spending the stolen funds. According to the DOJ:
🔹 They ran up nightclub tabs as high as $500,000 in a single night

🔹 Bought 28 luxury cars worth $3.8 million

🔹 Splurged on designer handbags, watches, and high-end fashion

🔹 Rented luxury villas and private jets using fake identities
The gang operated like a well-oiled machine — knowing how to launder money, hide digital footprints, and live like celebrities while doing it.

#CryptoCrime , #CryptoNewss , #BlockchainSecurity , #CyberSecurity , #DigitalAssets

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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.“

📌 From a Tip to a Global Scam:
A YouTuber named Mrwn uncovered a major crypto scam based in Cebu IT Park, Philippines, that defrauded victims of over $800,000. In mid-2024, Mrwn began tracking the source of a suspicious investment call received by a friend. The operation targeted individuals in South Africa, Nigeria, and Gulf countries using fake platforms like Quantum AI and Bitcoin Code.
🎭 Scam Call Center Operations:
Scammers followed a detailed 14-page script, promising 30–40% weekly returns to lure victims into depositing money. Tactics included:
□Emotional manipulation 😡
□Credit card theft 💳
□Use of Bitcoin ATMs and crypto wallets in major decentralized exchanges 🪙
□Victim data stored in plain text — posing major identity theft risks ⚠️
💼 Base Salary: Workers earned between ₱14,000 to ₱20,000 per month (Philippine Pesos), approx. $249–$355 USD/month (based on an average exchange rate of ₱56.25 per $1).💰 Commissions: Agents received an extra $0.35–$0.55 USD per successful deposit made by a scammed victim. These small bonuses incentivized aggressive call tactics and high-pressure sales techniques.
🕵️‍♂️ Investigation by YouTuber Mrwn:
□ Identifying key players: Mrwn identified key players:“Marcus” (real name Antonio) and “Adam” (alias, with an Israeli number)
□ Infiltrating the call center: Mrwn infiltrated the network, gaining access to: Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, Telegram chats, call logs. 🎥📞 and
□ Evidence collected: Mrwn obtained Financial spreadsheets showing annual revenue of $820K, netting $365K profit 💵
💱 Role of Crypto in the Scam:
■Scammers' manager's screens showed email alerts and notifications from crypto exchanges including login attempts and system maintenance messages, strengthening suspicion that cryptocurrency played a central role in laundering and transferring stolen funds.
■The scammers likely used crypto to receive victim payments and move funds quickly across borders while avoiding traditional banking scrutiny.
📡 Discovery & Public Exposure
■In early 2025, after the scammers moved offices, Mrwn hacked their new CCTV system, impersonated “Adam” on Telegram, broadcasted live office footage and spoke through the intercom, confronting Antonio directly 🎤.The scammers panicked and abandoned the office overnight 🏃💨
🏛️ Authorities Involvement:
After Mrwn’s viral exposé, the Philippine's authorities launched an official investigation, naming suspects and committing to arrests and crackdowns on similar fraud rings 🚔👨‍⚖️
🛡️ Tips to Avoid Crypto Scams:
1. Verify before investing 🧠
2. Be wary of high returns 🚩
3. Don’t share personal data 🔐
4. Avoid pressure tactics 🛑
5. Use secure platforms 🔒
6. Report suspicious activity 📞
#CryptoCrime

In a shocking turn of events, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by one of the most violent and terrifying incidents in its history. A 28-year-old Italian crypto investor, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, was kidnapped and tortured for 17 days in a luxury Manhattan townhouse by two men who wanted access to his multimillion-dollar Bitcoin fortune.

1️⃣ What Happened?

Carturan was pistol-whipped, electrocuted with a Taser, cut with a saw, and even dangled over a ledge as his captors tried to force him to hand over his Bitcoin wallet password. The attackers, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, were fellow crypto traders who had known Carturan personally.

The victim was also forced to smoke crack and subjected to humiliating abuse, including being peed on. The torture only ended when Carturan tricked his captors into believing his Bitcoin passkey was stored on his laptop. When they left to retrieve it, he escaped and ran to the NYPD.

2️⃣ Why Did It Happen?

The attack was part of a growing trend known as “wrench attacks”, where criminals physically assault crypto holders to steal their digital assets. Unlike cyber hacks, wrench attacks rely on brute force and extreme violence to extract wallet passwords.

Crypto crime experts have warned that Bitcoin’s rising value has made wealthy investors prime targets for these attacks. Criminals are no longer relying on hacking—they are going straight for the owners.

3️⃣ When Did It Happen?

The kidnapping began in late May 2025 and lasted 17 days before Carturan managed to escape. His captors were arrested shortly after, but the incident has raised alarms across the crypto industry about the dangers of holding large amounts of Bitcoin.

4️⃣ Where Did It Happen?

The torture took place in a high-end SoHo townhouse in New York City, rented for $30,000 a month by the attackers. The location was chosen to avoid suspicion, as the criminals lived lavishly while secretly holding Carturan hostage.

5️⃣ The Fallout: Crypto Investors Are Terrified

✔️ Increased Security Measures Wealthy crypto holders are now hiring private security and using multi-signature wallets to prevent theft.

✔️ Regulatory Concerns Governments are pushing for stricter crypto regulations, arguing that anonymous wealth makes investors vulnerable.

✔️ Psychological Impact Carturan’s case has shaken the crypto community, with many fearing that physical attacks will become more common.

6️⃣ Final Thoughts: The Dark Side of Crypto Wealth

While Bitcoin has created millionaires overnight, it has also attracted criminals willing to use extreme violence to steal digital assets. The Carturan case is a wake-up call for crypto investors—security is no longer just about avoiding hacks, but also protecting oneself from physical threats.

Would you feel safe holding millions in Bitcoin, knowing attacks like this are happening?

#CryptoCrime #Bitcoin #WrenchAttack
#CryptoSecurity
#Write2Earn