🚨 The developer behind the Mutant Ape Planet NFT collectible was found guilty of defrauding buyers of a rug pull of almost $3 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). 🦍

🇫🇷 French citizen Aurelien Michel was arrested in New York this year and agreed to pay $1.4 million in forfeiture.

🔍 "Continuous innovations in the digital asset space and the public's desire to get involved in cryptocurrencies are leading criminals to commit large-scale fraud," said US Attorney General Breon Peace.

🗨️ Michel, under the pseudonym "James", accepted the rug pull on his Discord channel: "We never intended to rug pull, but the community has become too toxic."

🤔 How do you think such events affect trust in the NFT and cryptocurrency industry? Share your thoughts in the comments!