Category: Crypto Scandal

Crypto scandals refer to events involving fraud, mismanagement, or unethical behavior within the cryptocurrency industry. These incidents often lead to significant financial losses, loss of trust, and negative public perception of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

Nigeria cracks down on crypto romance scams, arrests nearly 800 scammers

Summary: Nigeria’s anti-graft agency busted a massive crypto scam operation in Lagos, arresting 792 suspects. The scammers used fake online romances to trick people into shady crypto “investments” and steal their cash.

A Hub of Crypto Heartbreaks

In what sounds like something straight out of a movie, Nigerian authorities raided a building in Victoria Island, Lagos, where nearly 800 scammers ran what’s called *crypto romance scams*. Their playbook? Pretend to fall in love with victims online, gain their trust, and then pressure them into “investing” in fake crypto projects. Once the cash rolled in, these scammers ghosted faster than a bad Tinder match.

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Global Targets, Sneaky Tactics

These scammers primarily targeted Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and even some Mexicans, luring them via WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram. The hustle started small, with victims paying “activation fees” as low as $35 to set up fake accounts. The raid revealed just how international this operation was 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, and individuals from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Indonesia were caught.

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Seized Devices and Organized Crime Links

Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, confirmed that phones, laptops, and cars were seized. Authorities are now teaming up with international agencies to dig deeper into potential ties to organized crime. Stay alert love and crypto don’t always mix well.

Fake Uber Driver Busted for Swiping $300K in Crypto

Summary: A man from Arizona did something unforgivable as he disguised himself as an ordinary Uber driver but behind that mask he was a filthy thief who got caught red-handed after stealing over whopping $300,000 in crypto from unsuspecting innocent passengers.

Crypto Heist on Wheels

Scottsdale Police have arrested Nuruhussein Hussein, who’s now facing serious felony charges for theft, fraud, and money laundering. According to reports, he’d fake being an Uber driver, pick up victims, and casually ask to “check directions” or “connect the Uber app” on their phones. While the unsuspecting passengers handed him their devices, he’d quickly access their crypto wallets, swipe private keys, and transfer funds straight to his own account.

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High-Tech Trickery, Big-Time Losses

Hussein didn’t just stop at simple swipes he used advanced techniques to move the stolen crypto to untraceable wallets. Most victims didn’t even realize their money was gone until it was far too late. By the time they sobered up or checked their balances, the digital cash was long out of reach.

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Facing the Music

The scammer is now behind bars in Maricopa County Jail, and both police and the Secret Service are on his case. Hussein faces multiple charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering, with a court bond hearing set for December 18. Let this be a PSA: hold onto your phones, especially after a night out.

Pengu Token Airdrop: Could $20K Really Grow to $50K?

People are hyped over a Pudgy Penguin (PENGU) token farming hack claiming $20K in plushies could flip to $50K. But it’s all shaky math—actual NFT rewards might be worth $0.50, not $50. Plus, the refund trick raises red flags and ethical concerns. TL;DR: Risky move, probably not worth it.

Crypto Twitter’s buzzing about a controversial Pengu token (PENGU) farming trick that claims a $20K spend on Pudgy Penguin merch could turn into $50K. Sounds too good to be true? That’s because it probably is.

Here’s the deal: By buying 1,000 Pudgy plushies and figurines, you’d get linked NFTs that supposedly earn $50 each in the PENGU airdrop. Do the math—$50K in tokens for a $20K investment means a $30K profit, right? But there’s a massive catch. This plan assumes you can bulk-buy, scan all the QR codes, and return the items to Amazon without issues. Oh, and it also assumes the token value will actually be $50 per NFT. Spoiler: it won’t.

Crypto insiders say PENGU’s likely worth closer to $0.50 per NFT, slashing potential profits to nearly nothing. Plus, trying to game the system this way could hurt the Pudgy Penguin community, causing artificial demand and leaving legit buyers in the dust.

To make things messier, Pudgy boxes in some New York stores are already being tampered with—QR codes stolen! Instead of shady refund schemes, some suggest donating the toys to charity and keeping things ethical.

Bottom line: This hustle isn’t worth the risks. Don’t let FOMO lead you into a bad move.

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Ledger Wallet User Loses $2.5M in Bitcoin and NFTs to Phishing Scam

Summary: A Ledger wallet user has lost 10 Bitcoin and $1.5 million worth of NFTs after hackers exploited a phishing transaction from 2022. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in securing crypto wallets and avoiding phishing traps.

The $2.5M Crypto Wipeout

A crypto user, known as “Anchor Drops” on X, shared their loss of 10 Bitcoin and $1.5 million in NFTs from their Ledger Nano S wallet. The attack was traced back to a phishing transaction they unknowingly approved in February 2022. The hacker stayed under the radar for nearly three years before draining the funds.

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How the Hack Proceeded

Blockchain security experts confirmed that the phishing transaction gave the hacker access to the user’s recovery phrase, allowing them to take control across multiple blockchains. Ethereum-based NFTs were targeted first, but the attacker also managed to drain Bitcoin holdings, leaving the community puzzled about how it happened.

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Staying Safe in Crypto

Ledger and blockchain experts stress the importance of reviewing token approvals and understanding wallet interactions. Phishing scams often rely on users overlooking small details. The takeaway? Be hyper-cautious with transactions and never share your recovery phrase—because even a hardware wallet can’t fix user mistakes.

Drake’s X Account Hacked to Push Sketchy Solana Memecoin ‘Anita’

Summary: Drake’s official X (formerly Twitter) account got hacked, and scammers used it to push a shady Solana-based memecoin called “Anita.” The move cashed in on Drake’s upcoming tour and his crypto connections, but fans weren’t buying it for long.

Crypto Scam Hits Drake’s X

On Saturday night, hackers tookover Drake’s X account, with the help of his absurd 39M+ followers they promoted and hyped a fake token called “$ANITA. ” They claimed it was a collab with Stake, the crypto betting platform Drake’s been tight with since 2022. The name “Anita” wasn’t random—it’s tied to Drake’s cartoon alter ego and his “Anita Max Wynn” tour. Yeah, it was a clever play on “I need a max win,” but the whole thing was a total scam.

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$5M FOMO Frenzy

The posts included a contract address for the token and featured a cartoon mascot, making it seem legit. For a hot minute, people fell for it—trading volume hit $5 million. But it didn’t take long for the crypto-savvy crowd to call BS and bail. X even suspended the “official” Anita project account after the hack.

Celebs Stay Scam Magnets

Drake isn’t the first celeb to get hacked for crypto scams. Wiz Khalifa, Cardi B, Doja Cat, and even Metallica have been there too. Scammers love using A-list accounts to fake credibility and prey on fans.

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At this point, it’s clear: If it sounds too good to be true—even if Drizzy’s posting it—it probably is.

ED Seizes ₹12.5 Crore in HPZ Crypto Token Scam Crackdown in India

India’s ED seized ₹12.5 crore in the HPZ Token crypto scam, where investors were duped with fake promises of high returns through a shady app. The scam, now totaling ₹615.90 crore, lured people with small gains before trapping them for bigger investments. Raids hit four cities under the PMLA crackdown.

India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) just pulled off a major move in the HPZ Token crypto scam, seizing ₹12.5 crore in assets after raiding four cities—Delhi, Gurugram, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. This brings the total amount recovered in this scam to a whopping ₹615.90 crore.

So, what’s the deal with this HPZ Token? Well, it’s a classic case of “too good to be true.” It was easily one of those shady group launching a crypto app and luring hundreds of investors with promises of insane returns—like ₹4,000 a day on a ₹57,000 investment for three months. Initially they even paid out small amounts to build trust, but it was all a setup to trap people into pouring in more money.

The ED stepped in after an FIR was filed in Nagaland, and the Dimapur sub-zonal office took charge of the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). On December 5, the agency raided 11 locations, freezing bank accounts, fixed deposits, and mutual funds linked to the accused group.

This is one of the biggest crackdowns in India’s fight against crypto fraud. The ED is on a mission to track down every penny of the stolen money and make sure the scammers face justice.

The takeaway? Always double-check any investment that promises sky-high returns—it’s probably a trap. The crypto world is exciting, but scams like this are a reminder to stay alert and informed.

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Touzi Capital Faces $100M Fraud Charges Amid SEC Crackdown

Summary: The SEC has managed to hit Touzi Capital and its CEO, Eng Taing with insane allegations which include fraud allegations over misused investor funds, false claims about investment stability and also unregistered security. This inhumane and allegedly morally and socially wrong company raised over $100M mismanaging and commingling funds across unrelated ventures, including a crypto mining operation.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pulled the rug underneath from Touzi Capital and its founders, Eng Taing, this wasn’t done for fun or as a prank but done because the company was accused of raising over $100 million through phonzi and shady unregistered securities offerings. The madman SEC claims that the company used misleading and harmful tactics, hyping their investments as “safe” and “lucrative,” when they were actually risky and illiquid. Over 1,200 people were reportedly given false hope and false statement that their investment and their fund were supporting and building a crypto mining project but in reality those funds were allegedly being used as a personal expenses and being mis appropriated.

You thought that was it? There more to come, Touzi also again raised $23 million as a rehabilitation for its debt business but again that huge amount got mixed with cash from other completely unrelated ventures. SEC department isn’t kidding either as it wants complete and permanent injunctions, financial penalties and to eradicate Taing from corporate leadership roles for good.

This wasn’t out of order as all of this comes as a regulatory debates heat up. On side note, Some sources and some whispers suggest hat president elect Donald Trump might back shifting crypto oversight to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). At the same time SEC’s high profile tangle with Ripple is still brewing and continuing, with expert speculations that it could drop its appeal. Stay tuned it’ll be a wild ride.

15 Charged in U.S. for Laundering Drug Cartels’ Cash via Cryptocurrency.

Summary: 15 individuals which included 9 defendants and 6 associates face charges in the great state Florida for allegedly laundering drug money from neighboring developing cartels such as Mexico and Colombia into cryptocurrency. This scandal continued for almost 3 long years starting from 2020 to mid-2023 and the individuals where involved in bulk cash pickups and crypto transactions.

Sophisticated Money Laundering Scheme

The accused individuals allegedly collected drug proceeds from cities of United States and converted them into cryptocurrency. Then these digital money or assets were transferred to the wallets of the big evil conspirators, it doesn’t end here as the transferred digital asset was again converted back into cash and then transferred to cartel leaders in Mexico and Colombia.

Key Figures and Roles

Court documents and files suggest Nilson Sneyder Vasquez Duarte as a primary criminal and the one who coordinated the scheme. He and his co-conspirators allegedly helped during the deliveries to black-market crypto exchangers, which for sure included Hernan Horacio Richard Samper and Maria Eugenia Landeros Rosas. Not only there but there are several other individuals also served as a medium to physically transporting cash between U.S. cities.

Charges and Penalties

Accused individuals are facing charges for conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an illegal money transfer business. This doesn’t end the charge for some as seven individuals which includes Duarte and Landeros, face even more additional count of substantive money laundering.

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Bitfinex Hacker Razzlekhan Gets 18 Months in Jail

Summary: Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for her dirty and notorious role in laundering a massive amount of $10.8 billion from the infamous Bitfinex hack. This is the biggest crypto theft scandal to have ever existed and it’s not finally concluded with Morgan’s partner Ilya Lichtenstein receiving a five-year sentence.

A Crypto Heist Gone Wrong

Morgana and Lichtenstein stole a huge amount of BTC from Bitfinex which counts to 120,000 in 2016. The valuation of said amount of BTC at that time was $17 million but if we calculate it’s value today, BTC was skyrocketed and that amount is valued at $10.8 billion. The couple tried their best to run from the law and authorities but finally got caught up in 2022, which directly led to them pleading guilty for conspiracy and money laundering in 2023.

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The Sentence and Regret

Morgan being speculated as just a helper in the operation received 18-month of prison sentence while her partner whom is believed to be the operation’s mastermind was handed five years which is just fair considering the amount stolen. Morgan very clearly expressed shame and regret that she got involved in this work and claimed that she was only involved in laundering the amount with no clues about the hack. However, the court came to the conclusion that she still played an active role in concealing the fund which is a crime nontheless.

Sophisticated Laundering Tactics

The couple tried to hide their track of money by using crypto mixers, dark web markets and even several gold purchases but in the end authorities got the better of them and the federal investigators took all their ill-gotten assets and stated their story is a cautionary tale about how no amount of on-chain trickery can run away from the justice as the reach of justice is long and it’ll always shine upon every criminal.

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Nepal Warns Citizens Amid Rising Crypto Scam Cases

In short, Nepal’s FIU warns about rising crypto scams despite the trading ban. The ban didn’t stop criminals as they have been actively using crypto for money laundering and some fake investment schemes trap locals using social media. Plus, fear of reporting such issues worsens the issue even further, with 64% of fraud being cyber-related. But they are making progress as just recently FIU is calling for stricter monitoring, better training, and updated fraud laws.

Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a branch of Nepal Rastrya Bank that generally deals with monitoring and analyzing financial transactions to combat financial crimes has raised several alarms over the growing use of cryptocurrencies in cybercrimes. Firstly, trading on any crypto related token is completely banned in Nepal yet such trading is done in money laundering and other financial crime so this case goes deeper than regular crypto related crimes.

FIU Warns of Rising Crypto Fraud in Nepal

On a “Strategic Analysis Report” reported on November 18, FIU gave especial focus on increase in criminals using crypto to launder illicit funds. These fraudsters convert their illegal earnings into crypto tokens which makes it very difficult for authorities to trace and recover the money. Blockchain is supposed to be safe and not be untraceable but in its banned nationwide. Plus their ability to transfer cryptocurrency to offshore accounts seamlessly further complicates matters.

Fraudsters using crypto to lure in victims is increasing a lot lately, they run their business by running  investment schemes targeting citizens through social media and online ads. These schemes are generally eye catching and promise high returns, drawing unsuspecting victims. Plus the illegality of crypto trading makes reporting such acts publicly embarrassing for the government which has led to suppressing the news and as a result, has created even more victims.

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FIU Proposes Tighter Crypto Monitoring to Fight Fraud

FIU is pushing for tougher crypto transaction monitoring and better training for banks to spot any ongoing suspicious activity. They’re also calling for stronger teamwork between agencies and updated fraud laws. Nepal has shared its concerns globally, with South Korea even set to require businesses to report cross-border crypto transactions to the Bank of Korea.

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