The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit has reportedly apprehended 14 individuals involved in a $12.8 million (16 billion won) crypto mining scam. The operation’s ringleader, a man in his 40s identified only by his surname Lee, went to extraordinary lengths, including undergoing plastic surgery, to avoid detection by law enforcement. Mastermind Had […]
Bitcoin has remained the most used cryptocurrency by criminals, even with the rise of privacy coins like Monero. According to the recent Europol Internet Organized Crime Threat Assessment report, financial crimes are also still the main illicit crypto use. Bitcoin’s Popularity with Criminals Sparks Concerns Bitcoin has been the preferred asset for ransomware groups due […]
In Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, a 3-year-old boy was abducted from a shopping mall on July 3. Following the incident, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 660,000 USDT, which is about HK$5.15 million. Hong Kong Kidnappers Demand USDT The boy’s parents were instructed to download the Telegram messaging app and purchase the USDT ransom […]
Two individuals were detained and questioned by the UK Metropolitan Police and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for allegedly running an illegal cryptocurrency operation exceeding 1 billion British pounds ($1.2 billion) in the region. The FCA emphasized key registration requirements for crypto businesses and issued consumer warnings. Suspects Arrested and Questioned According to the Financial […]
A recent report from blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic titled “AI-enabled crime in the cryptoasset ecosystem” has shed light on the emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in cryptocurrency crime. The report, supported by case studies, identifies five emerging types of AI-enabled crimes, ranging from deepfake scams to state-sponsored cyberattacks, emphasizing that these threats are […]
Prominent US-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced the launch of a new initiative called ‘Tech Against Scams’ along with industry leaders Meta, Ripple, Gemini, Kraken, Match Group, and GASO. This coalition aims to tackle online fraud and financial schemes while simultaneously protecting and educating users, highlighting that scams are a tech-wide issue, not restricted to social […]
A Taiwanese national has been charged with running Incognito Market, a darknet drug bazaar, and arrested after authorities tracked the platform’s transactions. The platform has transacted more than $100 million in crypto through selling illegal narcotics such as fentanyl. Incognito Market Founder Arrested and Charged On May 18, U.S. authorities arrested Rui-Siang Lin, 23, operating […]
According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the U.S. Treasury Department is investigating $165 million worth of cryptocurrency transactions that might have supported Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo signed a letter revealing these findings based on examining suspicious activity reports submitted between January 2020 and October […]