FBI Cracks $8.3M Crypto Fraud: Launderer Sentenced to Prison and $2.3M Repayment

A Maryland Heights man, Richard Charles Appelbaum III, has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to repay $2.3 million for his role in laundering millions through cryptocurrency. Appelbaum, 40, conspired with others to funnel proceeds from Business Email Compromise (BEC) and romance fraud schemes into cryptocurrency via Coins2trade. Recruited by “E.S.,” allegedly … Read more

Cybercrime Marketplace Crumbles as Authorities Seize Hidden Crypto Stash

The U.S. Justice Department has announced the seizure of Popeyetools, a cybercrime marketplace, and unmasked its role in illicit cryptocurrency transactions. Administrators Abdul Ghaffar, Abdul Sami, and Javed Mirza were charged with selling stolen financial data and facilitating crimes involving ransomware and fraud. Since 2016, Popeyetools generated $1.7 million in revenue, partly from cryptocurrency payments, … Read more

FBI-Created Token Hits Its Mark: Landmark Guilty Plea Shatters Crypto Fraud Ring

The FBI’s fake cryptocurrency token unraveled a landmark market manipulation case, leading a founder to plead guilty to running automated wash trades across exchanges. In FBI-Created Token’s Trap, Crypto Mogul’s Empire Collapses The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that Liu Zhou, the founder of Mytrade, a cryptocurrency financial services firm, has pled … Read more

$230M Bitcoin Heist Takes Dark Turn — $100M Still Missing, FBI Probes Kidnapping Link

Two young men pulled off a $230 million bitcoin heist in one of the largest crypto thefts from a private individual in U.S. history. But after indulging in luxury cars and a $2 million watch, the story took a sinister twist. Now, prosecutors say the crime may be tied to a shocking kidnapping — and … Read more

$150M Crypto Scheme Leader Vanishes From US Detention, Active Manhunt Underway

A German national accused of orchestrating a $150 million cryptocurrency fraud is now a fugitive after allegedly tampering with his ankle monitor while on home detention in New York. Prosecutors say he led a multi-level marketing scheme, promising massive returns, before siphoning off millions in cryptocurrency and disappearing just before his trial. An active investigation … Read more

FBI Warns Investors of Growing Crypto Scams Amid Billion-Dollar Losses

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to cryptocurrency investors, highlighting a surge in scams, particularly targeting retirees and the elderly. FBI experts explain how scammers trick victims into fake crypto investments and scare them into handing over more funds before vanishing with the money. FBI Warns of Growing Cryptocurrency Scams Amid … Read more

FBI Seeks Crypto Fraud Victims in Major Market Manipulation Case

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is urging potential victims of cryptocurrency fraud to come forward as it investigates market manipulation involving several cryptocurrency companies. Accusations include “wash-trading” and artificially inflating trading volumes to deceive investors. FBI Seeks Victims in Major Cryptocurrency Fraud Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Boston Division is calling on … Read more