The US Department of Justice has announced the seizure of cryptocurrency worth an estimated $112 million linked to cryptocurrency investment scams. The seizure warrants for six cryptocurrency accounts were authorized by judges in Arizona, California, and Idaho.

According to court documents, the cryptocurrency accounts were used to launder proceeds of various cryptocurrency confidence scams. Fraudsters cultivated long-term relationships with victims online, eventually enticing them to make investments in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms. However, the funds sent by victims for these purported investments were instead funneled to cryptocurrency addresses and accounts controlled by scammers and their co-conspirators.

The majority of investment frauds reported to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) in 2022 involved cryptocurrency, including pig butchering. These scams increased by 183% from 2021 to $2.57 billion in reported losses last year.

Scammers often target victims between the ages of 30 and 49 through social networking and online communications platforms, dating websites, and phone calls and text messages that are meant to appear to have been misdialed. After gaining their trust, scammers introduce the idea of trading in cryptocurrency and direct victims to fraudulent investment platforms or to co-conspirators posing as investment advisors or customer service representatives.

Director Eun Young Choi of the Criminal Division’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) emphasized the importance of early notification by victims to law enforcement, thanking those who came forward to notify the FBI when targeted by this scheme. Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division added that the announcement should serve as a reminder of the FBI’s unwavering commitment to investigating and pursuing criminal actors who seek to defraud the American public.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Arizona, California, and Idaho, along with members of the NCET and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, are in charge of the seizures announced today, with the FBI Phoenix Division investigating the case.

#FBI #crypto2023 #Binance #BTC #azcoinnews

This article was republished from azcoinnews.com

Bulgarian woman, Irina Dilkinska, has been extradited to the United States and charged for her involvement in the OneCoin cryptocurrency pyramid scheme. The charges were unsealed by the DOJ on March 21. The fraudulent cryptocurrency was marketed and sold to millions of victims worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars in losses.

Dilkinska was the Head of Legal and Compliance for OneCoin. She is accused of enabling OneCoin to launder millions of dollars of illegal proceeds through shell companies, and of helping perpetuate a scheme that affected millions of victims. She will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn to face justice for her alleged crimes.

OneCoin began operations in 2014 and was based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The company was founded by Ruja Ignatova, also known as “the Cryptoqueen,” and Karl Sebastian Greenwood. It marketed a purported cryptocurrency by the same name, which was in fact a fraudulent pyramid scheme.

OneCoin operated as a multi-level-marketing (MLM) network through which members received commissions for recruiting others to purchase cryptocurrency packages. According to OneCoin’s promotional materials, over three million people invested in fraudulent cryptocurrency packages. OneCoin records show that, between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the fourth quarter of 2016 alone, OneCoin generated €4.037 billion in sales revenue and earned “profits” of €2.735 billion.

Dilkinska was accused of assisting in the creation and management of shell companies to launder OneCoin proceeds and to hold property belonging to Ignatova. She allegedly helped co-conspirator Mark Scott, a former equity partner at a prominent international law firm, launder approximately $400 million in OneCoin proceeds through a series of fake Cayman Islands investment funds operated by Scott.

Dilkinska used a company named B&N Consult EEOD to disguise the transfer of millions of dollars as purported “investments” into Scott’s funds. In or around September 2018, Dilkinska learned of Scott’s arrest in connection with his laundering of OneCoin proceeds. Shortly thereafter, Dilkinska burned incriminating documents, sent co-conspirator Konstantin Ignatov a text message with a link to a newspaper article about the arrest, and then wrote a series of texts.

The charges against Dilkinska are a result of the exceptional investigative work of federal and international law enforcement partners. The IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to holding those who commit fraud accountable, no matter where they are located. The FBI will continue its determination to bring alleged fraudsters like Dilkinska to justice.

#Dilkinska #FBI #ONECOIN #crypto2023 #azcoinnews

This article was republished from azcoinnews.com

The head of MI6, the United Kingdom's primary intelligence agency, emphasized the significance of the human factor in intelligence gathering processes, stating that artificial intelligence is not yet capable of assuming this role. MI6 Chief Richard Moore recently spoke at an open session in Prague, reassuring intelligence officers that there is no need to worry about the future. However, Moore also acknowledged that this situation may not be permanent and that artificial intelligence might eventually be able to mimic certain aspects of the human mindset.

The Importance of the Human Factor:

According to Moore, MI6 regards human intelligence gathering as an area that artificial intelligence has not been able to imitate yet. He believes that the unique characteristics and exceptional connections of human agents form the foundation of intelligence gathering, and these attributes cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. Moore's opinion is based on his speeches on the impact of artificial intelligence on intelligence operations and national security since he took office in 2020.

The Rapid Advancement of Artificial Intelligence:

Nevertheless, Moore does not dismiss the possibility that artificial intelligence might surpass certain aspects of the human mindset over time, and this process could happen faster than expected. In an era of rapidly advancing technologies, the potential for artificial intelligence to mimic the human factor is increasing. However, Moore maintains that, currently, artificial intelligence is not at a level where it can replace human agents in the intelligence gathering process, and he believes in the ongoing importance of the human factor.

Concerns Regarding China:

During his speech in Prague, Moore particularly addressed some concerns regarding China. He mentioned that China collects vast amounts of data and can utilize it in ways that could pose a threat to national security. Additionally, Moore stated that China used COVID-19 vaccines for data theft during the pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, this situation presents serious threats to national security.

Other Intelligence Services and Artificial Intelligence:

MI6 is not the only intelligence agency contemplating the implications of artificial intelligence for espionage activities. The CIA and FBI in the United States have also stated that they are exploring ways to use artificial intelligence in their operations to safeguard sensitive information from adversaries. However, MI6 Chief Richard Moore emphasizes that artificial intelligence is not yet capable of replacing the human factor in intelligence operations, asserting that the future of intelligence still relies on human agents.

In Summary:

MI6 Chief Richard Moore asserted that concerns about artificial intelligence replacing the human factor in intelligence gathering processes are not valid at present. The unique characteristics and exceptional connections of human agents continue to be of great importance in intelligence operations. However, in an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology, the possibility of artificial intelligence mimicking certain aspects of the human mindset in the future cannot be ignored. MI6 and other intelligence services will continue to closely monitor these developments. #artificialintellegence #CIA #FBI #M16

The FBI warns that scammers attract people to work overseas, promising high salaries. Upon arrival, they take away passports and force them to participate in scams related to digital currencies.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned of false job postings. Which are offered by scammers to lure people to work abroad and force them to participate in cryptocurrency scams.

According to the FBI, scammers post false job ads on social media. As well as on Internet job sites, inviting people to work in Southeast Asia. Jobs related to tech support, call centers or beauty salons are offered. Applicants are offered good wages, various benefits, travel, lodging, and meals.

Upon arrival, passports are taken away from people. And then they are forcibly held, intimidated and forced to participate in international cryptocurrency fraud schemes. Thus effectively holding them in slavery.

At the same time, victims are told that they must pay mounting debt for travel. As well as accommodation and food, and sometimes sell people to other criminal groups. People are also intimidated by threats to turn them in to local law enforcement.

Our experts point out that those looking for work abroad are advised by the FBI to be wary of strange wording in job postings. As well as offers with unusually high salaries and benefits. Also, when moving to another country, tell relatives and friends the details of the new place of work.

#FBI #crypto2023 #Binance #scamalert #crypto

CryptosHeadlines.com - The Leading Crypto Research Network:

Cryptocurrency investors face significant security challenges, with new attacks constantly emerging. From hacking smart contracts to social media scams, there are numerous ways that investors can lose their money.

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To address these risks, the FBI has issued a warning to the public. They caution about attackers who hijack social media accounts and deceive people with fake token sale addresses.

Additionally, the FBI expresses concerns about fake websites that use legitimate platforms to steal NFTs and cryptocurrencies from unsuspecting victims. It’s crucial for investors to stay vigilant and take measures to secure their funds in this ever-evolving crypto landscape.

Cryptocurrency investors face significant security concerns as new attacks continue to emerge daily. From hacking smart contracts to social media scams, there are various ways in which investors can lose their money. The FBI has issued a warning to the public, highlighting the risks involved.

The FBI specifically warns about attackers taking control of social media accounts to deceive people with fake token sale addresses. They are also concerned about fake websites that use legitimate platforms to steal NFTs and cryptocurrencies from victims.

These scams have resulted in an increasing number of victims losing their funds. For example, hackers targeted Uniswap founder Hayden Adams’ Twitter account and shared a link for a fake token sale. The attackers can make the link preview appear similar to the real website, tricking users into connecting their wallets and losing all their money.

To protect themselves, the FBI urges people to be cautious of criminals who pose as legitimate NFT developers and engage in financial fraud schemes targeting active users within the NFT community. These attackers may take over social media accounts or create nearly identical ones to promote fake NFT releases, using phrases like “limited stock” to create a sense of urgency and lure unsuspecting users into their traps. Being vigilant and verifying the legitimacy of websites and offers can help safeguard against such scams.

Scam websites often trick people into connecting their wallets to request or purchase NFTs, just like smart contracts that infect computers with viruses. These malicious smart contracts are designed to steal all keyboard inputs and recorded passwords, like Trojans or keyloggers, while emptying your wallet.

The FBI emphasizes the importance of researching and investigating any opportunities, especially surprise NFT airdrops or giveaways, before clicking on links. They encourage individuals to be cautious of inconsistencies in website URLs or account names to avoid falling prey to impersonators.

In summary, it is crucial to stay vigilant and double-check the legitimacy of offers and links to protect against scams that can lead to significant financial losses.

Important: Please note that this article is only meant to provide information and should not be taken as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other type of advice.

#CryptocurrencyNews #NFT #Web3 #Blockchain #FBI

Tether solidifies measures against illegal USDT usage by collaborating with the Department of Justice (DoJ), FBI, and Secret Service.Expanding its reach, Tether establishes active partnerships with entities in Israel, furthering its strategies to ensure USDT's lawful utilization.Tether rigorously enforces US sanctions on the international use of USDT, emphasizing compliance with regulatory frameworks to curb unauthorized activities.

🛡️ Tether's Collaborative Efforts Against Illicit Use 🤝💼
Tether, the leading issuer of stablecoins, took a proactive step by engaging with the Department of Justice, involving the FBI and the US Secret Service to prevent misuse of its stablecoin USDT by criminals. The company's collaboration with law enforcement agencies led to the freezing of $435 million USDT and 326 wallets on US authorities' instructions on December 17, 2023.
💼 Global Law Enforcement Coordination 🌍👮‍♂️
Beyond the US, Tether actively cooperates with international law enforcement to combat money laundering, trafficking, and terror financing, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance and global security.
📜 Revelations in Tether's Letters 📨🔍
Tether responded to concerns raised by Senator Cynthia Lummis and Congressman J. French Hill regarding money laundering and terror financing in cryptocurrencies. In a letter dated December 17, 2023, Tether highlighted collaboration with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and freezing actions on its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.
🔑 Key Points from Tether's Letter 🗝️📝
Tether outlined its new wallet freezing policy, aligning with PayPal's PYUSD, and committed to freezing all wallets linked to the SDN list. The company's partnership with law enforcement aims to curtail illicit transactions and facilitate fund recovery, aspiring to set industry standards.
🚫 Past Actions Against Illicit Activities ⛔📉
Tether previously froze funds linked to terror activities in Israel, collaborating with Israel's National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing. Reports indicated USDT's involvement in money laundering via the Tron blockchain in the region. Additionally, Tether froze $225 million allegedly tied to human trafficking, employing blockchain analysis tools for detection.
⚖️ Regulatory Landscape: Wins and Setbacks 🏛️💼
While the Department of Justice's settlement with Binance resulted in a $4 billion fine and CEO Changpeng Zhao stepping down, regulatory agencies like the SEC faced setbacks, notably in cases against Ripple and the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF. The SEC's stance hints at a potential Bitcoin ETF approval in early 2024.
💰 Tether's Significance in the Market 💵📊
As of December 17, 2023, Tether boasts a market size nearing $90 billion, solidifying its position as the largest stablecoin issuer, surpassing USDC's market cap by a substantial margin.
🔔 Disclaimer: The information provided aims for accuracy, but it's prudent to conduct personal research before making financial decisions in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
#Tether #FBI #crypto2023 #cryptocurrency