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.

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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Crypto Launderer Pleads Guilty in $73M Scam, Faces Major Sentencing

In brief, A Chinese-American dual citizen, Daren Li, admitted his crime in California federal court on Nov. 11 for laundering proceeds from a $73 million crypto scam. He admitted to his role of being included in directing shell company accounts to hide the origins of stolen funds from unsuspecting investors.

Scheme Specifics and Cash Flow

Daren Li acknowledged that, between August 2021 and April 2024, he defrauded victims of millions of dollars by operating a cryptocurrency investment scam that included pig butchering. In order to launder the money, Li used to advise others to open bank accounts in the United States using shell corporations. The money was thereafter converted to Tether (USDT) and transferred to digital wallets under the control of the powerful individuals.. As per the court details, a single walled linked to the scam had received over $340 million which is just an absurd amount to even think of. Further more the filing said.

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Authorities Take Action

After being arrested at Atlanta airport in April, Li alongside his co-worker Yicheng Zhang, who was detained in Los Angeles were charged in May. Authorities noted that $73.6 million went swiftly and directly into accounts linked to the scheme, while $59.8 million flowed through U.S. shell companies created to further disguise the assets.

Upcoming Sentencing and Financial Penalties

Li’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 3, 2025 where he potentially faces upto 20 years in jail including about three years of supervised release and $500,000 fine. This doesn’t end the punishment because he may also be ordered to pay victims the amount they were scammed off which amounts to about $4.5 million and $73 million.

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Bengal Man Nabbed by Delhi Police for ₹2000 Cr WazirX Hack

Delhi police busted a Bengal man, SK Masud Alam in case of a maassive ₹2,000 crore WazirX hack using a fake account sold on Telegram. After the arrest, WarzirX cooperated but custody firm liminal isn’t sharing any info outside. Cops are suspecting an inside job and are investigating further to uncover more links related to this massive cyber attack.

Delhi police have successfully arrested an individual named SK Masud Alam. He is from West Bengal and had serious connections with a cyberattack on cryptocurrency exchange. The platform they were using to lure in victims was WarzirX, they used this platform to steal digital assets worth ₹2,000 crore.

Basically he ran this attack by setting up a fake account, which especially targeted WazirX’s hot wallet and attempted to breach its cold wallet. This attack was reported as one of the largest breaches in the crypto sector, drawing attention from higher ups on security vulnerabilities within the digital asset exchange.

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The main person, Alam is a resident of East Midnapore in West Bengal and was  apprehended by Delhi Police’s Special Cell following an investigation led by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) division. Alam created a fake WazirX account in the name of Souvik Mondal, which he later sold via Telegram to an individual named M Hasan. This account was the main one carrying out the cyber attacks. The authorities are continuing their investigation on Alam suspecting that this might be more larger network than what it seems to look like.

Liminal custody, the firm that secured WazirX’s wallets is in hot water for not helping out Delhi Police with the investigations. Despite their repeated attempts, they didn’t share any key infos which raised questions about security practices. Cops plan to dig into Liminal’s role further in a follow-up chargesheet.

South Korea Busts $230M Crypto Scam: 215 Arrested, 15,000 Victims

South Korea busted a huge $230M crypto scam, with over 15,000 victims suffered by their scam, most of the them were old people. This scheme was apparently run by a Youtuber with over 620K subs. Cops arrested him including 215 helpers, and tracked over 1400 accounts and seized $1.9M in Bitcoin. The mastermind for this was caught in Australia and the hunt for fund is still on.

South Koreans have just cracked down a massive organization that had managed to defraud over 15K investors including vulnerable older citizens , out of 325 billion won. According to a report by Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit, they have arrested 215 people associated with the scam. Among them 12 were considered higher level organizers of the plan. Every one of the suspects now face charges under South Korea’s Aggravated Punishment Act for Specific Economic Crimes.

The scam was mostly successful because of the influence of a youtuber who goes by the name “Mr. A”, he is the alleged ring-leader of this scam. He used his influence to lure in  investors with claims of quick riches, encouraging some to even sell their homes and take out loans to buy crypto assets that would supposedly yield “20 times the principal.” 

The scam was active from December 2021 to March 2023, and offered 28 different types of cryptocurrency tokens, six of which were self-created and listed on overseas exchanges to attract buyers. The scam was cruel on so many levels, victim’s personal info were also misused, many of them lost their life’s savings in this scheme. The alleged leader Mr.A ran away from South Korea and was eventually arrested in Australia.

Police reported that they found across 1444 bank accounts and seized 22 bitcoins which is worth $1.9 million, and requested court approval to confiscate approximately $34 million linked to the scam. They are now working on to get victims money returned to them and prevent further financial crimes.

Thailand Busts Illegal Bitcoin Mining Rigs; Charges Two for $280k Electricity Theft

Briefly, Two suspects were arrested by Thai authorities for allegedly stealing over $280,000 in electricity for unauthorized Bitcoin Mining. This arrest mission led to the discovery of nine illegal and unauthorized mining sites in Surat Thani province. This issue showcases a growing problem of unlicensed crypto mining in Thailand.

Details of the Crackdown

The central Investigation Bureau and the Provincial Electricity Authority on Thailand raided nine illegal, unauthorized and unlicensed mining sites after a tip from a local resident about suspicious CCTV cameras. During investigation authorities stumbled upon modified electricity meters used to bypass legal power consumption, saving operators hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Thailand’s Stance on Crypto Mining

Bitcoin miners are considered manufacturers in Thailand and need to pay tax. However, illegal mining operations have significantly increased, with several busts in 2024 alone. Having said so, Thailand remains to attract crypto business due to its progressive approach to digital assets.

Thailand’s Growing Crypto Appeal

Thailand is globally considered as a top market by Binance, with a mind blowing 12% local crypto penetration rate. Authorities recently launched a Digital Asset Regulatory Sandox to help improve innovation in crypto service, allowing companies to operate under flexible and feasible guidelines aimed at making the country’s digital asset sector strong.

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