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Indian Nation Pleads Guilty in $37 Million Cryptocurrency Theft Scheme
An Indian national has pleaded guilty in the United States to charges of stealing more than $37 million by creating a website impersonating cryptocurrency trading platform Coinbase.
Chirag Tomar, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was arrested on December 20, 2023, as soon as he entered the country.
“Tomar and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to steal millions in cryptocurrency from hundreds of victims around the world and in the United States, including in the Western District of North Carolina,” the Department of Justice (DoJ) said. She said last week.
The website, created around June 2021, was called “CoinbasePro[.]com” in an attempt to masquerade as Coinbase Pro and trick unsuspecting users into thinking they were accessing the legitimate version of the virtual currency exchange.
It is worth noting that Coinbase interrupted the offering to Advanced Trade in June 2022. The phased migration of Coinbase Pro customers to Coinbase Advanced was completed on November 20, 2023.
Victims who entered credentials on the counterfeit site had their login information stolen by scammers and in some cases were tricked into granting remote desktop access which allowed the criminal perpetrators to access their Coinbase accounts legitimate.
“The scammers also impersonated Coinbase customer service representatives and tricked users into providing their two-factor authentication codes to the scammers over the phone,” the DoJ said.
“Once the scammers gained access to the victims’ Coinbase accounts, they quickly transferred the victims’ Coinbase cryptocurrency holdings to cryptocurrency wallets under the scammers’ control.”
In one case highlighted by prosecutors, an unnamed victim located in the Western District of North Carolina had more than $240,000 worth of cryptocurrency stolen this way after being tricked into calling a fake Coinbase representative under the guise of blocking the own trading account.
Tomar is believed to have been in possession of several cryptocurrency wallets that received stolen funds totaling tens of millions of dollars, which were later converted into other forms of cryptocurrency or moved to other wallets and ultimately cashed out to fund a style of sumptuous life.
This included expensive watches from brands such as Rolex, the purchase of luxury vehicles such as Lamborghini and Porsche, and several trips to Dubai and Thailand.
The development comes with the arrest of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) associated with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the Indian state of Karnataka Srikrishna Ramesh (aka Sriki) and his alleged co-conspirator Robin Khandelwal for stealing 60.6 bitcoins from a cryptocurrency exchange company called Unocoin in 2017.
US takes action against North Korea’s freelance IT army
It also follows a new wave of arrests in the United States in connection with an essay multi-year regime designed to help North Korea-linked IT workers obtain remote jobs at more than 300 U.S. companies and advance the country’s weapons of mass destruction program in violation of international sanctions.
Among those arrested is Oleksandr Didenko, a 27-year-old Ukrainian citizen, accused of creating fake accounts on US IT job search platforms and selling them to foreign IT workers to get jobs.
He is also said to have operated a now dismantled service called UpWorkSell which advertised “the ability for remote IT workers to purchase or rent accounts in the names of identities other than their own on various online freelance IT job search platforms.”
According to the affidavit in support of the complaint, Didenko operated approximately 871 “proxy” identities, provided proxy accounts for three U.S. freelance IT rental platforms, and provided proxy accounts for three different U.S.-based money services transmitters.
Didenko’s accomplice, Christina Marie Chapman, 49, was also arrested for operating what is called a “laptop farm” by hosting multiple laptops at her residence to allow North Korean IT workers to give the impression they were in the U.S. and apply. for remote work positions in the country.
“The conspiracy […] resulted in the generation of at least $6.8 million in revenue for IT workers overseas,” Chapman’s indictment reads, adding that the workers found jobs at numerous blue-chip American companies and exfiltrated data from at least two of them, including a multinational restaurant chain and a classic American clothing brand.
Charges were also filed against Minh Phuong Vong of Maryland, a Vietnamese citizen and naturalized U.S. citizen, for conspiring with an unknown party to commit wire fraud by obtaining employment with U.S.-based companies when, in reality, remote IT workers based in China they posed as Vong to work on the government’s software development project.
There are indications that the second individual, referred to as “John Doe”, is North Korean and works as a software developer in Shenyang, China.
“Vong […] did not engage in software development activities,” the DoJ She said. “Instead, Vong worked at a nail salon in Bowie, Maryland, while one or more individuals residing in China used Vong’s login credentials to connect to a secure government website, perform software development work, and participate in regular online company meetings.”
At the same time, the DoJ said it took control of as many as 12 websites used by IT workers to secure remote work contracts by masquerading as US-based IT services companies offering artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud computing solutions.
AS previously disclosed in court documents from late last year, these IT workers – part of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Munitions Industry Department – are known to be sent to countries such as China and Russia, from where they are hired as freelancers with l The ultimate goal is to generate income for the Hermit Kingdom.
“North Korea is evading US and UN sanctions by targeting private companies to illicitly generate substantial revenue for the regime,” the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said. She said in a consultation.
“North Korean IT workers use a variety of techniques to obfuscate their identities, including exploiting US-based individuals, both knowing and unknowing, to gain fraudulent employment and access to US corporate networks to generate this revenue.”
A recent Reuters report revealed that North Korean threat actors have been linked to 97 suspected cyberattacks cryptocurrency company between 2017 and 2024, netting them $3.6 billion in illicit profits.
Adversaries are estimated to have laundered the $147.5 million stolen last year from the hack of cryptocurrency exchange HTX through the virtual currency platform Tornado Cash in March 2024.
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US Cryptocurrency Rules Delayed by ‘Never-Ending’ Lawsuits
Ripple CEO says cryptocurrency industry still seeking regulatory clarity from US
Speaking to Bloomberg News on Wednesday (July 17), Author: Brad Garlinghouse he said America is behind behind other countries which have already adopted cryptocurrency regulations.
“What we’re seeing, where it’s the UK, Japan, Singapore… even the European Union, more than two dozen countries have come together to provide a framework for cryptocurrency regulation,” Garlinghouse said.
“It’s frustrating that we as a country can’t get that regulatory framework in place. And instead, we have this never-ending lawsuit coming from the SEC that doesn’t really address the problem.”
Ripple has been the target of some of these legal disputes. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the company in 2020, accusing it of conducting a $1.3 billion operation offering of unregistered securities tied to its XRP token.
However, last year a judge ruled that only Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP, not retail sales, violated the law, a decision widely seen as a victory for the cryptocurrency industry.
As PYMNTS noted at the time, that ruling has “far-reaching repercussions impact across the digital asset ecosystem, which has long maintained that its tokens do not represent securities contracts.”
However, Garlinghouse told Bloomberg on Wednesday that the company cannot wage multimillion-dollar legal battles over each token.
He spoke to the news agency from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where the party is backing the candidacies of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, both of whom are considered pro-cryptocurrency.
But Garlinghouse argued that cryptocurrencies “should not be a partisan issue,” and noted that he had recently attended a conference in Washington that included Democrats, including White House officials.
“I think they were there, listening to the industry… it was refreshing to start having that conversation,” she said.
President Joe Biden earlier this year he vetoed a measure which would have ended the SEC’s special rules for crypto-asset custodians. This legislation was supported by both the digital asset industry and the banking industry.
Ripple early this year donated $25 million to the cryptocurrency industry’s super PAC Fair Smoothiewith Garlinghouse stating at the time that such donations would continue every year, as long as the industry had its detractors.
Second Open SecretsWhich monitor spending For campaigns, the PAC has spent $13.4 million this year, much of it to help defeat Rep. Katie Porter’s (D-Calif.) U.S. Senate campaign.
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The Future of Cybersecurity in the Cryptocurrency Industry
The cryptocurrency space has had a tumultuous journey, with its fair share of ups and downs. As we look to the future, one area that remains a constant focus is cybersecurity. The digital nature of cryptocurrencies makes them inherently vulnerable to cyber threats, and as the industry evolves, so does the landscape of potential risks.
In 2022, the cryptocurrency market faced significant challenges, with over $2 trillion in market value lost. This event served as a wake-up call for the industry, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures. The future of cryptocurrency security is expected to see a shift towards more regulated and established institutions taking the reins of crypto technology and blockchain infrastructure.
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies offers numerous benefits, such as transparency and financial inclusion. However, it also introduces unique security challenges. The risk landscape is filled with threats such as hacking, phishing, ransomware attacks, malware, and social engineering. These threats not only lead to financial losses, but also damage the reputation and trust within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies offers many benefits, but it also presents unique security challenges. Cyber risks such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware pose threats to the integrity of digital assets. The infrastructure that supports cryptocurrencies is not immune to vulnerabilities, including smart contract flaws and exchange hacks.
To address these vulnerabilities, the infrastructure that supports cryptocurrencies must be strengthened. Smart contract vulnerabilities, exchange hacks, wallet breaches, and flaws in the underlying blockchain technology are significant concerns that must be addressed to ensure the security and integrity of digital assets.
As cybercriminal tactics and techniques become more sophisticated, the cryptocurrency industry must stay ahead of the curve. The future will likely see more targeted attacks, exploiting weaknesses in infrastructure, networks, and human factors. This requires a proactive and multifaceted approach to cybersecurity.
To mitigate these risks, several measures must be adopted:
Strengthening security measures: Developers, exchanges, and wallet providers must improve security protocols, use strong encryption, implement multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security audits.
Education and awareness: Users should be educated on best practices for protecting their digital assets, including using strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using hardware wallets for secure storage.
Looking ahead, the cryptocurrency industry is expected to see an increased focus on robust security measures. Blockchain projects and exchanges are likely to invest in advanced encryption techniques and decentralized storage solutions to protect user assets. The future impact of cyber risk on cryptocurrencies will depend on the collective efforts of stakeholders to address vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures.
Collective efforts by stakeholders in the cryptocurrency space are crucial to address vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures. While challenges persist, advances in cybersecurity technologies and practices offer hope for a more secure and resilient cryptocurrency ecosystem.
The future of cybersecurity in the cryptocurrency industry depends on finding a balance between innovation and regulation. It requires a collaborative effort from all parties involved, from developers to end users, to create a secure environment that fosters trust and growth in the industry. As we move forward, it is critical that lessons learned from past events guide the development of stronger security measures, ensuring the longevity and stability of cryptocurrencies as a vital part of the modern economic toolkit.
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Bullish XRP and RLBK price predictions rise, outpacing the broader cryptocurrency market, prompting Shiba Inu holders to switch!
Bitcoin’s one-week surge from $60,000 has pushed other cryptocurrencies into an uptrend. However, for many altcoins, this trend has been temporary. Altcoins such as XRP and Shiba Inu (SHIB) have experienced price drops. However, Rollblock, a new altcoin on the Ethereum blockchain, has thrived during this period, attracting thousands of investors looking for long-term growth.
XRP’s Nearly 30% Growth Over Last Week Drops as Selling Pressure Increases
XRP is seeing further price decline as Ripple investors withdraw their profits from the token. The surge in XRP’s price to $0.64 in the past week has provided investors with a perfect opportunity to increase their returns in the short term. With the ongoing sell-off in XRP, XRP has jumped over 8% in the past day and is now trading at $0.59. However, analysts tracking XRP indicators predict that XRP could still extend its gains by over 30% in the coming weeks.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) marks its third consecutive day of losses
Shiba Inu (SHIB) is in a period of adjustment after a week of strong gains. In the last 24 hours, SHIB has seen a jump of over 7%, reflecting a natural market fluctuation. Analysts are observing a death cross on the Shiba Inu chart, which historically signals the potential for future opportunities as the market stabilizes. As investors explore new possibilities, some are diversifying into promising altcoins like Rollblock (RBLK) to strategically rebalance their portfolios and capitalize on the emerging trend.
Rollblock (RBLK) Up Another 7% as New Investors Join Pre-Sale
Rollblock (RBLK) has taken the cryptocurrency market by storm, having attracted investors from more popular altcoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and XRP. Rollblock’s growth is attributed to its utility in the $450 billion global gaming industry.
Rollblock aims to use blockchain technology to bridge the gap between centralized and decentralized gambling. With blockchain technology, Rollblock secures every transaction in its online casino, providing transparency and convenience to millions of players who are uncomfortable placing bets on other iGaming platforms.
This innovative use of blockchain technology in the industry has grown Rollblock to over 4,000 new users in less than two months. With plans to add sports betting, this number is expected to grow exponentially in Q3.
Rollblock uses a revenue sharing model that splits up to 30% of its casino’s weekly profits with token holders. This happens after Rollblock buys back $RBLK from the open market and uses half of it for rewards. The other half is burned to increase the price of $RBLK.
Rollblock price has seen four increases in the past month with $RBLK tokens now selling for $0.017. Analysts predict that at the current growth rate, Rollblock could increase by over 800% before the presale ends. For investors looking for a long-term token with growth potential, phase four is the best time to buy Rollblock before its price skyrockets!
Discover the exciting Rollblock (RBLK) pre-sale opportunities now!
Website:https://Rollblockpresale.io/
Social: https://linktr.ee/Rollblockcasino
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Texas Crypto Miners Turn to AI as Crypto Declines
As cryptocurrency mining becomes less profitable, Texas cryptocurrency mining companies are switching to supporting artificial intelligence companies.
Bitcoin miners, with their sprawling data centers and access to significant energy resources, are ideally suited for computationally intensive AI operations, and as cryptocurrency mining becomes less profitable, companies see this shift as a logical answer to their problems.
On Thursday, Houston-based Lancium and Denver-based Crusoe Energy Systems announced a multibillion-dollar deal to build a 200-megawatt data center near the West Texas city of Abilene to support advanced artificial intelligence applications such as medical research and aircraft design, CNBC reported. The plant represents the first phase of a larger 1.2 gigawatt project.
Lancium and Crusoe’s move into AI mirrors a broader trend among bitcoin miners. The combined market capitalization of the top U.S.-listed bitcoin miners hit a record $22.8 billion in June. Companies like Bit Digital and Hut 8 are diversifying into AI, with Bit Digital securing a $92 million annual revenue deal to supply Nvidia GPUs and Hut 8 raising $150 million to expand its AI data center.
But the growing popularity of these operations also presents challenges, particularly for the Texas power grid. Last month, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced that the state is expected to nearly double its energy production by 2030 to meet the high energy demands of data centers and cryptocurrency operations.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick expressed concern about the projections.
“Cryptocurrency miners and data centers will account for more than 50% of the additional growth. We need to take a close look at these two sectors,” He wrote on Twitter/X. “They produce very few jobs compared to the incredible demands they place on our network. Cryptocurrency miners could actually make more money selling electricity to the network than they do from their cryptocurrency mining operations.”
Analysts predict significant growth in data center power capacity, which is expected to account for up to 9% of U.S. electricity consumption by 2030.
The operations also pose challenges for nearby cities. Earlier this month, TIME reported that a crypto-mining facility was seriously compromising the health of residents in the city of Granbury. TIME reported more than 40 people with serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and hearing loss. At least 10 of the residents needed to go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility.
The disturbances were caused by the extreme noise generated by the crypto-mining facility’s fans, which are used to keep the machines cool. While the proposed data center in Abilene would use liquid cooling systems, it’s still unclear whether the facility’s operations would pose a health risk to local residents.
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