Crypto Crime News

Explore the darker side of the crypto industry. Everything from fraudulent initial public offerings and lawsuits to hacks, dark market deals, thefts and kidnappings.

France Cracks Down on Crypto-Linked Kidnappings as High-Profile Attacks Rise

French police have arrested more than a dozen individuals, including minors, in connection with a string of crypto-related kidnapping cases that have shaken Paris in recent weeks.

28.05.2025 13:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Hacked Migos Instagram Used in Alleged Blackmail Targeting Solana Co-Founder

A bizarre cyberattack involving the hacked Instagram account of hip-hop group Migos has surfaced, allegedly as part of an attempted extortion scheme aimed at Solana co-founder Raj Gokal.

28.05.2025 9:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Federal Judge Overturns Key Charges in Mango Markets Exploiter Case

A federal judge has thrown out major fraud charges against Avraham Eisenberg, the trader accused of draining millions from DeFi platform Mango Markets, citing jurisdictional flaws in the government’s case.

25.05.2025 13:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Italian Tourist Escapes Alleged Crypto Extortion Plot in New York

An Italian man narrowly escaped a harrowing ordeal in New York after being kidnapped and tortured in an alleged scheme to extract access to his digital wealth.

25.05.2025 19:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Man Sentenced for Using Fake Business to Run Underground Bitcoin Exchange

A Massachusetts man has been handed a six-year prison sentence after federal authorities exposed his unlicensed crypto operation, which laundered over $1 million under the guise of a vending machine business.

24.05.2025 13:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

After $220M Breach, Cetus Offers Hacker Deal as Sui Debates Control

The decentralized exchange Cetus, built on the Sui blockchain, has been hit with one of the largest DeFi exploits of the year, losing over $220 million in crypto assets.

24.05.2025 10:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Binance Wins Legal Victory in BSV Delisting Case

An effort by Bitcoin SV investors to seek billions in compensation from major crypto exchanges has largely fallen flat in the UK Court of Appeal.

23.05.2025 11:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Major Hack Drains $260 Million From Sui DeFi Protocol

Panic swept through decentralized markets on Thursday after a suspected vulnerability in Cetus Protocol triggered a massive liquidity drain across several Sui-based tokens.

22.05.2025 18:05 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Nearly 70,000 Accounts Compromised in Coinbase Insider Breach

A previously undisclosed security breach has exposed sensitive user data of nearly 70,000 Coinbase customers, following what appears to be an internal compromise involving bribed support staff.

22.05.2025 22:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Former SafeMoon CEO Convicted in $2B Crypto Fraud Case

Braden Karony, once the public face of SafeMoon, has been found guilty in a major fraud case involving the misuse of billions in investor funds.

22.05.2025 21:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

After Coinbase Hack, Experts Warn: It’s Not Just Data at Risk

A data breach at Coinbase has triggered serious concerns after attackers accessed private user details—including home addresses—by bribing outsourced customer support staff.

21.05.2025 10:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Coinbase Under Federal Investigation After Massive Data Breach

Just days after securing its place in the S&P 500, Coinbase is now under federal investigation following a major security breach that exposed the personal data of several high-profile users.

20.05.2025 16:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Blum Co-Founder Arrested in Russia as Project Distances Itself from Scandal

Vladimir Smerkis, a key figure behind the crypto-powered Telegram Mini App Blum, has been arrested in Moscow amid allegations of large-scale fraud, according to Russian media reports.

19.05.2025 21:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Crypto Executives Become High-Value Targets as Kidnapping Threats Escalate in Europe

As wealth in the cryptocurrency sector continues to grow, so do the dangers facing its most prominent players.

19.05.2025 18:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Hong Kong Cracks Down on $15M Crypto Laundering Syndicate

Hong Kong authorities have dismantled a sophisticated money laundering network accused of channeling over HK$118 million (USD $15 million) through a web of local bank accounts and crypto exchange shops.

18.05.2025 22:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

FBI-Led Crackdown Exposes Massive Crypto Laundering Scheme

A high-profile investigation into one of the largest cryptocurrency fraud operations this year has led to the arrest of a Wellington man, as authorities across New Zealand and the United States crack down on cross-border cybercrime.

18.05.2025 19:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Exchanges Step Up Defense as Hackers Target Crypto Platforms

As digital assets surge back into the spotlight, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts—this time targeting major crypto exchanges.

18.05.2025 11:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Deepfakes Fuel Sophisticated Cyber Attacks on U.S. Officials and Crypto Founders

A new breed of cyberattack is gaining traction, blending social engineering with AI-generated deepfakes to target government workers and crypto leaders.

17.05.2025 16:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Young Cyber Gang Linked to $263M Bitcoin Theft Busted by U.S. Authorities

A cybercrime crew composed mostly of California-based youth has been indicted for orchestrating a massive crypto heist, stealing over $260 million in Bitcoin and laundering it through an elaborate web of digital tactics and real-world crimes.

17.05.2025 10:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

NFT Project Founder Accused of Pocketing Millions in Investor Funds

A group of investors has filed a lawsuit against Jonathan Mills, the founder of the Hashling NFT project, alleging he misappropriated millions raised through NFT sales and a connected Bitcoin mining venture.

16.05.2025 19:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

European Police Break Up Crypto-Backed Criminal Network in International Raid

Authorities in Europe have dismantled a major organized crime operation that used cryptocurrency to move tens of millions in illicit funds for drug and human trafficking networks.

16.05.2025 15:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Telegram Shuts Down $27B Crypto Scam Network

A massive cybercrime marketplace run primarily through Telegram has been dismantled, marking a major blow to crypto-enabled fraud networks across Asia.

16.05.2025 9:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Family of French Crypto CEO Attacked in Failed Abduction

A daylight kidnapping attempt in Paris has escalated fears over the safety of crypto executives and their families, following a string of similar incidents in France.

15.05.2025 22:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Using Crypto to Fund ISIS Operations

A U.S. court has handed down a 30-year prison sentence to Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, who was found guilty of financing terrorism through cryptocurrency.

10.05.2025 11:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Celsius CEO Sentenced to 12 Years Over $5 Billion Crypto Scandal

A major chapter in crypto’s legal reckoning closed this week as Alex Mashinsky, once a prominent name in digital lending, received a 12-year prison sentence.

09.05.2025 10:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Alex Mashinsky Seeks One-Year Sentence as DOJ Pushes for 20 Years

Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky is asking for a significantly reduced prison sentence ahead of his May 8 sentencing, with his legal team pushing back hard against the U.S. Department of Justice’s call for a 20-year term.

08.05.2025 12:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Samourai Wallet Case Faces Scrutiny After Allegations of Withheld Evidence

The legal battle against the creators of Samourai Wallet has taken a sharp turn, as defense attorneys accuse federal prosecutors of suppressing a key legal interpretation from the Treasury Department that could dismantle the core of the government’s case.

07.05.2025 13:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

ZachXBT Helps Freeze $7M After $330M Bitcoin Theft From Elderly Holder

A decades-long Bitcoin holder has reportedly lost over $300 million in a devastating crypto theft — one of the largest in recent memory.

05.05.2025 16:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

North Korean Agent Exposed in Crypto Job Scam at Kraken

In a cybersecurity twist that sounds more like espionage fiction than reality, Kraken recently intercepted an attempted infiltration by a North Korean hacker—disguised as a job seeker.

04.05.2025 20:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

$330M Bitcoin Heist Traced to Social Engineering Scam Targeting U.S. Senior

A massive crypto theft has rocked the community, with a staggering $330 million in Bitcoin stolen in a sophisticated scam now believed to be the result of social engineering.

04.05.2025 12:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Mango Markets Hacker Sentenced for Separate Criminal Charges

Avraham Eisenberg, known for orchestrating the 2022 Mango Markets exploit, has been handed a 52-month prison sentence—but not for his crypto-related activities.

03.05.2025 11:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

DeFi Protocol Loopscale Hit by Exploit, Pauses Key Functions

Loopscale, a decentralized finance platform built on Solana, was forced to pause its lending operations after a major security breach led to losses of around $5.8 million.

27.04.2025 17:30 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky Set for Sentencing Next Month 

Alex Mashinsky, co-founder and former CEO of the defunct crypto lending platform Celsius, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2025, following his guilty plea to two federal criminal charges late last year.

24.04.2025 16:00 2 min. read Kosta Gushterov

Hacker Returns $7.5M in KiloEx Breach After Bounty Deal

A decentralized exchange targeted in a multi-million-dollar exploit has recovered its losses just days after the incident, thanks to an unexpected twist involving the hacker themselves.

19.04.2025 15:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Hackers Target UK Official’s Account in Crypto Scam Disguised as Government Project

A recent cyberattack targeting a UK government official’s social media account has highlighted ongoing concerns over digital impersonation and crypto scams.

17.04.2025 9:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

NFT Trader Faces Prison for Hiding Millions in CryptoPunk Profits from IRS

A former NFT trader is facing potential prison time after admitting to hiding millions in profits from the IRS through undeclared sales of high-value digital assets.

14.04.2025 17:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Crypto Wallets Targeted by Sophisticated Malware Campaign

Cybersecurity researchers are sounding the alarm after discovering a new and increasingly sophisticated attack targeting the crypto community.

12.04.2025 19:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Australia Cracks Down on Almost 100 Crypto Companies Linked to Fraudulent Scams

Australia’s efforts to combat crypto-related fraud have intensified, with the country’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) targeting 95 companies allegedly involved in deceptive schemes like pig butchering scams.

09.04.2025 20:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

$20 Million AI Scam Uncovered in Spain: Criminal Network Exposed

Spanish police have busted a criminal network that used AI to run a global investment scam, arresting six individuals linked to the operation.

09.04.2025 14:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Bloomberg Strategist Predicts Bitcoin Crash to $10,000

Mike McGlone, a senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg, has stirred the crypto community with his latest prediction about Bitcoin’s future price movement.

07.04.2025 15:30 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

US Treasury Sanctions Iran-Backed Rebel Network Over Crypto Transactions and Arms Supply

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced new sanctions targeting a financial network that supports the Houthis, a group backed by Iran that has been responsible for numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

05.04.2025 15:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

American Woman Loses Millions in Sophisticated Crypto Scam

A U.S. woman recently became the victim of a major cryptocurrency scam, losing millions of dollars after falling for a well-crafted deception.

04.04.2025 18:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Bybit Hack Leads to Record Crypto Losses in Early 2025

The first quarter of 2025 has been marked by a significant surge in crypto hacks, with losses totaling over $1.63 billion.

01.04.2025 20:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Coinbase Users May Have Lost $46 Million to Rising Phishing Scams

In the past two weeks, Coinbase users may have fallen victim to phishing schemes resulting in an estimated $46 million in losses, as malicious actors continue to exploit the growing interest in cryptocurrency.

01.04.2025 15:53 2 min. read Alexander Zdravkov

South Korean Court Sentences Three for $460K Crypto Scam

A South Korean court recently handed down prison sentences to three individuals involved in a cryptocurrency investment scam that defrauded investors of approximately $460,000.

31.03.2025 12:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Five Arrested in India for $700K Crypto Fraud Scheme

Indian authorities recently apprehended five individuals, including one woman, involved in a sophisticated crypto scam that defrauded a businessman of nearly $700,000.

27.03.2025 21:00 2 min. read Alexander Zdravkov

Crypto Influencer BitBoy Arrested on Serious Charges in Florida

Ben Armstrong, known in the crypto community as BitBoy, has recently been arrested in Florida, creating waves throughout the digital currency space.

26.03.2025 13:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Hacker Exploits Smart Contracts Vulnerability, Steals $13 Million in Ethereum

A security flaw in Abracadabra’s smart contracts has led to a major exploit, with a hacker draining around 6,262 ETH—valued at roughly $13 million—from the protocol’s liquidity pools.

25.03.2025 20:15 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

U.S. Authorities Retrieve $7M in Crypto Fraud Case, Highlighting Ongoing Scam Issues

Cryptocurrency scams are becoming an increasing threat as the market grows, with fraudsters creating fake platforms to lure unsuspecting investors.

23.03.2025 20:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Crypto Platform Faces $8.4 Million Loss After Exploit Compromises Admin Privileges

Zoth, a platform specializing in re-staking real-world assets (RWA), has suffered a significant security breach, resulting in the theft of over $8.4 million in crypto.

22.03.2025 10:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Gotbit Founder Reaches Plea Deal in Crypto Manipulation Case

Aleksei Andriunin, the CEO of Gotbit, a cryptocurrency market-making platform, has reached a plea agreement with U.S. authorities after being accused of manipulating cryptocurrency markets.

21.03.2025 13:08 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Bithumb Under Investigation in South Korea for Alleged Misuse of Company Funds

South Korean authorities have launched an investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb, conducting a raid at its headquarters in connection with allegations that company funds were improperly used to finance real estate purchases by its former CEO.

20.03.2025 14:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

New Microsoft Discovery Reveals Malware Targeting Cryptocurrency Wallets on Chrome

Microsoft’s security team has recently uncovered a remote access trojan (RAT) targeting cryptocurrency wallets used in Google Chrome.

20.03.2025 13:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Crypto Users Targeted in New Sophisticated Wallet Scam

A surge in phishing emails is hitting crypto users, with scammers posing as Coinbase and Gemini to steal funds.

17.03.2025 17:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Thai Authorities Uncover Massive Illegal Crypto Mining Operation, Seizing 63 Rigs

On Friday, officials from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) uncovered a significant illegal crypto mining operation, seizing 63 mining machines valued at approximately 2 million baht ($60,000).

17.03.2025 10:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Interpol Fugitive May Be Tied to New Crypto Scheme

Blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps has uncovered evidence that Hayden Davis, the fugitive behind the LIBRA project and wanted by Interpol, may be the mastermind behind a newly launched cryptocurrency called WOLF.

16.03.2025 20:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

UK Law Enforcement Officer Faces Multiple Charges Over Alleged Bitcoin Theft

A law enforcement officer in the UK has found himself in serious legal trouble, facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a substantial amount of Bitcoin during a 2017 investigation.

16.03.2025 16:00 2 min. read Alexander Stefanov

American Sentenced to 7 Years for Crypto-Fueled Drug Trafficking Scheme

An american has been sentenced to over seven years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that relied on cryptocurrency for payments and money laundering.

16.03.2025 10:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Ex-Bank Staffer Pleads Guilty to Facilitating Fraud and Drug Money Laundering

A former Bank of America employee has admitted to playing a role in an international money laundering network that funneled millions of dollars through fraudulent bank accounts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

15.03.2025 13:00 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov

Argentine Lawyer Seeks Global Arrest Warrant for LIBRA Token Co-Creator

An international arrest warrant has been requested for Hayden Davis, co-creator of the LIBRA token, which became the center of a major political scandal in Argentina.

13.03.2025 13:20 1 min. read Alexander Stefanov