Breaking News: CRIME – Market Insights, Analysis & Latest Updates

HashFlare cloud mining operators plead guilty to $577 million crypto fraud following FBI investigation

Estonian operators of HashFlare pleaded guilty to running a $577 million Ponzi scheme, misrepresenting mining capacity, and face up to 20 years in prison.

theblock.co • 14/02/2025 - 10:47 AM

Funds lost in pig butchering crypto scams soared 40% in 2024: Chainalysis

In 2024, pig butchering crypto scams surged, targeting more victims and utilizing AI tools, with Huione Guarantee emerging as a key facilitator for these illicit activities.

theblock.co • 14/02/2025 - 08:08 AM

The Daily: Quest to find bitcoin fortune in garbage dump continues, Dave Portnoy's memecoin antics and more

James Howells, a resident of Newport, South Wales, plans to buy the landfill where he believes his lost £620 million ($768 million) bitcoin fortune is still buried, despite a UK judge dismissing his case last month. Eric Council Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud related to the hack of the Security and Exchange Commission’s social media account in January 2024.

theblock.co • 10/02/2025 - 18:52 PM

CRIME

Ex-Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky seeks delayed prison sentencing

Alex Mashinsky's lawyers seek to postpone his sentencing for fraud charges, pushing it from April 8 to May 8, 2025, while prosecutors oppose the delay.

theblock.co • 06/02/2025 - 16:32 PM

Ransomware extortion drops 35% in 2024 amid crypto exchange crackdowns and increasing refusal to pay: Chainalysis

Ransomware payments reduced by 35% to $813 million in 2024, with more victims resisting payments amid effective law enforcement actions and international cooperation.

theblock.co • 05/02/2025 - 13:00 PM

The Daily: Elon Musk's dad seeks to make $200 million from 'Musk It' memecoin, UK gang jailed for crypto extortion and more

The article covers recent developments in the crypto world including Errol Musk's memecoin, a jailed crime gang, XRP ETF filings, Grayscale's Dogecoin Trust, and Uniswap's new features.

theblock.co • 31/01/2025 - 18:31 PM

The Daily: Bitcoin whipsaws amid Lummis announcement and Trump WEF remarks, Ledger co-founder freed after kidnapping and more

John McAfee is revived in a memecoin; Bitcoin fluctuates due to Lummis and Trump. Ledger's co-founder was kidnapped, and CZ returns to Binance-related ventures.

theblock.co • 23/01/2025 - 19:11 PM

Ledger co-founder David Balland released after kidnapping: Bloomberg

David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was kidnapped and later released after a police operation. The incident sparked false kidnapping rumors about another co-founder, Eric Larchevêque.

theblock.co • 23/01/2025 - 12:53 PM

CRIME
SEC

Digital Currency Group agrees to pay $38 million to settle with SEC over negligence

Digital Currency Group settles with SEC for $38 million over misleading investors via Genesis Global Capital. Former CEO also fined. Genesis faced bankruptcy and fraud allegations.

theblock.co • 17/01/2025 - 17:23 PM

Illicit use of blockchains represents just 0.4% of total crypto volume, TRM Labs finds

Crypto crime is declining, particularly on TRON, which sees increased law enforcement efforts, while some crime areas, like ransomware, show growth, emphasizing a need for collaboration.

theblock.co • 16/01/2025 - 19:07 PM