cryptocrime

France is facing a disturbing trend. The country is increasingly becoming Europe’s epicenter of so-called crypto-wrench attacks — violent home invasions where the target is not a bank, but private cryptocurrency keys. The latest case from the south of the country shows just how dangerous this phenomenon is becoming.
On Monday evening, three masked attackers broke into a family home in the town of Manosque, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. Inside, they assaulted a woman, threatened her with a handgun, physically attacked her, and tied her up in order to obtain a single target: a USB drive containing cryptocurrency data belonging to her partner.

Weapon, Violence, and a Rapid Escape
According to available information, the attackers did not hesitate to use brute force. They slapped the woman, intimidated her with a firearm, and fled immediately after securing the USB drive. Fortunately, the victim did not suffer serious injuries, managed to free herself within minutes, and contacted the police.
The case is now being investigated by specialized units of the criminal police. The investigation comes at a time when similar attacks are rapidly increasing across France.

France as a Hub of Crypto-Related Violence
According to publicly tracked databases, more than 70 violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders have been recorded worldwide. Over 14 of these incidents occurred in France, making it the most dangerous European country in this category.
Experts warn that a combination of several factors creates an ideal environment for this type of crime:
🔹 High overall crime rates

🔹 A visible concentration of cryptocurrency wealth

🔹 Growing knowledge of digital assets among criminal groups

🔹 Easy identification of targets through public information
Cryptocurrencies are particularly attractive to criminals because they allow the instant transfer of large sums across borders, operate 24/7, and are often perceived as harder to trace than traditional financial systems.

Shocking Revelation: The State as a Source of Information for Criminals?
The case unfolds in an exceptionally sensitive context. It recently emerged that a French tax official has been charged with abusing access to government databases.
According to investigators, she allegedly searched for addresses, income details, and family information of individuals outside her professional responsibilities and passed this data on to criminal groups. In at least one case, this activity is believed to have preceded a violent home invasion.
The court concluded that her actions could not be justified by her job duties, which were strictly limited to corporate taxation.

A New Reality for Crypto Holders
The Manosque case reveals a harsh reality:

The greatest threat to cryptocurrency investors is no longer hackers, but physical violence.
Crypto-wrench attacks are reshaping security paradigms and forcing investors to reconsider how and where they store their digital assets. USB drives, hardware wallets, and public visibility of wealth are becoming potential liabilities — especially in environments where sensitive information can fall into the wrong hands.

#CryptoCrime , #CryptoSecurity , #CryptoNews , #DigitalAssets , #CryptoCommunity

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,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

South Korea’s judiciary has closed one of the most serious cases linking cryptocurrencies with state espionage. A 40-year-old operator of a cryptocurrency exchange has been sentenced to prison after courts confirmed that he took part in an attempt to leak highly classified military information to North Korea in exchange for Bitcoin.
The ruling was recently upheld by the third panel of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Lee Sook-yeon, leaving in force the lower court’s verdict that the defendant—identified only as Mr. A—violated South Korea’s National Security Act.

Instructions via Telegram and Crypto Payments
The case began to unfold in July 2021, when Mr. A received instructions via Telegram from an individual using the alias “Boris,” whom South Korean authorities suspect to be a North Korean hacker. Acting on these instructions, Mr. A approached an active-duty South Korean military officer, referred to in court documents as Mr. B, offering cryptocurrency payments in exchange for classified military intelligence.
According to investigators, Mr. B became involved in the operation using espionage tools more reminiscent of a high-tech thriller than real life. These included a hidden camera embedded in a wristwatch and a specialized USB hacking device known as “Poison Tap,” designed to detect and extract sensitive military data. The goal was to enable remote access to military laptops and attempt intrusions into South Korea’s defense systems.

Failed Attempt to Breach a Critical Military System
“Boris” specifically sought access to the Korean Joint Command and Control System (KJCCS), one of the country’s most sensitive military command infrastructures. Mr. B succeeded in obtaining login credentials and passing them on to both Boris and Mr. A. However, authorities confirmed that the actual hacking attempt ultimately failed.

How Much Were the Spies Paid?
Investigators revealed the financial scale of the scheme. Mr. A received Bitcoin worth approximately 700 million won (around $525,000) for his role. Mr. B, the military officer, was paid Bitcoin valued at about 48 million won (roughly $36,000).
The investigation also found that Mr. A attempted to recruit additional accomplices by approaching another active-duty officer with offers of cryptocurrency in exchange for military organizational charts. That officer declined the proposal.

Court’s Ruling and a Stark Warning
Mr. A was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison, suspended for four years. In its reasoning, the court emphasized that he “was at least aware that he was disclosing military secrets to a country or group hostile to the Republic of Korea.” Judges noted that Mr. A was driven purely by personal financial gain while committing an offense that could have endangered the entire nation.
Both the appellate court and the Supreme Court agreed with this assessment and upheld the original sentence.
Mr. B received a significantly harsher punishment. He was convicted of violating the Military Secrets Protection Act and sentenced to ten years in prison. The Supreme Court also imposed an additional fine of 50 million won.

The case highlights how cryptocurrencies, while enabling financial innovation, can also be exploited as tools for serious national security threats—and how decisively states respond when those lines are crossed.

#CryptoNews , #bitcoin , #CryptoCrime , #SouthKorea , #blockchain

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Two men who exploited the chaos of the war in Ukraine for personal gain have been sentenced in the UK to 13 years in prison each, after laundering over $7.3 million through cryptocurrency.

💰 Exploiting Ukraine's Demand for Trucks and Supplies
Valeriy Popovych (52) and Vitaliy Lutsak (43) were part of a criminal network that purchased vehicles and equipment allegedly destined for Ukraine, using proceeds from illegal activities. These transactions were disguised as legitimate trade, but in reality, it was a large-scale crypto money laundering operation.
The two were found guilty on April 7 at Wood Green Crown Court following a five-week trial.

🏠 London Property and Millions in Crypto Wallets
Part of the laundered funds was used to purchase a luxury home in London worth over $1.2 million. During the investigation, British police uncovered that the gang channeled more than $14 million in crypto through digital wallets, stored on personal computers to conceal the origin of the funds.
A third suspect, Valeriy’s wife Oksana Popovych (42), is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30. A fourth member, Semen Kuksov, was already jailed in February for over five years.

⚖️ Crypto Loopholes Enabled a Shadow Business
Authorities confirmed the gang took full advantage of the lack of cryptocurrency regulation, which allowed them to move illicit funds with ease and build a multi-million-dollar operation in just over a year.
Investigators revealed the group not only laundered criminal proceeds but also ran an unregistered money services business, breaching UK financial laws.

🗣️ Police: They Turned War into a Business Model
Lead investigator Harry Davies of the Metropolitan Police said:
“Mr. Popovych presented himself as a hardworking, legitimate truck dealer. In reality, he ruthlessly saw the Ukraine conflict as a lucrative opportunity for profit.”

Special Crown Prosecutor Negeen Momtahen added:
“Money laundering is not a victimless crime. It enables criminals to continue harming lives. This conviction shows that crime in the crypto world won't go unpunished.”

Summary: Crypto, War, and Greed Collide
At a time when the world watches Ukraine suffer, this group created a profitable shadow operation—using crypto and fake legitimacy. But UK authorities sent a strong message: Money laundering won’t be tolerated, no matter how deeply it’s buried in the blockchain.

#MoneyLaundering , #CryptoCrime , #CryptoSecurity , #crypto , #CryptoNewss

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,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

The U.S. Department of Justice has expanded its indictment in one of the largest crypto crime cases to date. Twelve new individuals have been charged in connection with a cybercrime gang that allegedly stole 4,100 Bitcoins — worth around $263 million — primarily from a single victim.

From Online Gaming Friends to a Coordinated Cybercrime Ring
According to investigators, the group began operating in October 2023, starting as a group of friends who bonded over online games. But their hobby turned dark as they evolved into an organized extortion network. Most of the accused — aged between 18 and 22 — hail from California and used online aliases such as “Goth Ferrari” and “The Accountant.”
Several suspects have already been arrested, while two others are believed to be hiding in Dubai.

Hacks, Break-ins, and Stolen Hardware Wallets
The DOJ describes a wide range of criminal tactics:
🔹 Hacking databases and stealing credentials

🔹 Impersonating customer support agents

🔹 Calling victims to carry out social engineering attacks

🔹 Breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets
One of the most striking incidents occurred on August 18, 2024, when lead defendant Malone Lam allegedly tricked a victim into handing over more than 4,100 Bitcoins.
In another case, Lam reportedly hacked into a victim’s iCloud account to track their location, while accomplice Marlon Ferro broke into the victim’s home to steal physical wallets.

Sophisticated Laundering with Peel Chains and Mixers
To cover their tracks, the group used advanced money laundering methods:
🔹 VPNs and crypto mixing services

🔹 “Peel chains” — where stolen crypto is moved through dozens or hundreds of wallets, peeling off small amounts at each step
The defendants are now facing charges under the RICO Act, as well as wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Flashy Lifestyles: From Crypto to Clubs, Cars, and Private Jets
The group didn’t hold back when spending the stolen funds. According to the DOJ:
🔹 They ran up nightclub tabs as high as $500,000 in a single night

🔹 Bought 28 luxury cars worth $3.8 million

🔹 Splurged on designer handbags, watches, and high-end fashion

🔹 Rented luxury villas and private jets using fake identities
The gang operated like a well-oiled machine — knowing how to launder money, hide digital footprints, and live like celebrities while doing it.

#CryptoCrime , #CryptoNewss , #BlockchainSecurity , #CyberSecurity , #DigitalAssets

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

📌 From a Tip to a Global Scam:
A YouTuber named Mrwn uncovered a major crypto scam based in Cebu IT Park, Philippines, that defrauded victims of over $800,000. In mid-2024, Mrwn began tracking the source of a suspicious investment call received by a friend. The operation targeted individuals in South Africa, Nigeria, and Gulf countries using fake platforms like Quantum AI and Bitcoin Code.
🎭 Scam Call Center Operations:
Scammers followed a detailed 14-page script, promising 30–40% weekly returns to lure victims into depositing money. Tactics included:
□Emotional manipulation 😡
□Credit card theft 💳
□Use of Bitcoin ATMs and crypto wallets in major decentralized exchanges 🪙
□Victim data stored in plain text — posing major identity theft risks ⚠️
💼 Base Salary: Workers earned between ₱14,000 to ₱20,000 per month (Philippine Pesos), approx. $249–$355 USD/month (based on an average exchange rate of ₱56.25 per $1).💰 Commissions: Agents received an extra $0.35–$0.55 USD per successful deposit made by a scammed victim. These small bonuses incentivized aggressive call tactics and high-pressure sales techniques.
🕵️‍♂️ Investigation by YouTuber Mrwn:
□ Identifying key players: Mrwn identified key players:“Marcus” (real name Antonio) and “Adam” (alias, with an Israeli number)
□ Infiltrating the call center: Mrwn infiltrated the network, gaining access to: Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, Telegram chats, call logs. 🎥📞 and
□ Evidence collected: Mrwn obtained Financial spreadsheets showing annual revenue of $820K, netting $365K profit 💵
💱 Role of Crypto in the Scam:
■Scammers' manager's screens showed email alerts and notifications from crypto exchanges including login attempts and system maintenance messages, strengthening suspicion that cryptocurrency played a central role in laundering and transferring stolen funds.
■The scammers likely used crypto to receive victim payments and move funds quickly across borders while avoiding traditional banking scrutiny.
📡 Discovery & Public Exposure
■In early 2025, after the scammers moved offices, Mrwn hacked their new CCTV system, impersonated “Adam” on Telegram, broadcasted live office footage and spoke through the intercom, confronting Antonio directly 🎤.The scammers panicked and abandoned the office overnight 🏃💨
🏛️ Authorities Involvement:
After Mrwn’s viral exposé, the Philippine's authorities launched an official investigation, naming suspects and committing to arrests and crackdowns on similar fraud rings 🚔👨‍⚖️
🛡️ Tips to Avoid Crypto Scams:
1. Verify before investing 🧠
2. Be wary of high returns 🚩
3. Don’t share personal data 🔐
4. Avoid pressure tactics 🛑
5. Use secure platforms 🔒
6. Report suspicious activity 📞
#CryptoCrime