Michaela
A 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, Ronald Spektor, has been indicted on 31 counts for allegedly running a phishing scheme that stole approximately $16 million from nearly 100 Coinbase users. He was arraigned on charges including first-degree grand larceny and money laundering.
Key Points
- Ronald Spektor allegedly stole $16 million from nearly 100 Coinbase users via phishing.
- Stolen funds were laundered through exchanges, gambling sites, and digital assets.
- Authorities have recovered $105,000 in cash and $400,000 in crypto while investigating further.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office stated that Spektor, who operated online under the handle @lolimfeelingevil, allegedly posed as a Coinbase representative. He reportedly told users their funds were at risk of a hack and persuaded them to transfer their cryptocurrency to a wallet he controlled.
Spektor then allegedly drainined the transferred accounts and laundered the stolen funds through cryptocurrency mixers, online swapping platforms, and gambling sites. “This indictment charges the defendant of operating a long-running social engineering scam that amounted to a digital robbery against scores of crypto investors across the country. He allegedly tricked many unsuspecting people to transfer their life savings to wallets he controlled, blew their hard-earned money gambling online, and then bragged about his successful thefts,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated.
Authorities have recovered approximately $105,000 in cash and $400,000 in cryptocurrency linked to Spektor, while the Brooklyn DA’s Office continues efforts to locate additional stolen funds.
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Furthermore, investigators interviewed more than 70 victims, many of whom said they were contacted by someone posing as a Coinbase representative. Claiming that their accounts were at risk, the defendant allegedly convinced users to transfer their crypto to wallets under his control.
Once transferred, the stolen assets were reportedly laundered through multiple cryptocurrency exchanges, converted to cash, used for gambling, or spent on gift cards and other digital assets, with significant portions sent to online gambling platforms and storefronts.
Investigators tied the scheme to Spektor through blockchain analysis, transaction records, digital forensics, and evidence collected via search warrants. His home IP address was linked to several of the affected wallets. The probe also found that he allegedly recruited others on online forums to act as social engineers and publicly boasted about his illicit activities.
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Spektor’s victims were located across the United States, including a California resident who reported losses exceeding $1 million and another individual who allegedly lost over $900,000.
“We’re grateful to District Attorney Gonzalez and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership and relentless work to protect victims. In this case, Coinbase supported the investigation by helping identify the perpetrator and the customers he defrauded, providing evidence to ensure he could be charged, and assisting law enforcement efforts to trace and recover funds connected to the fraudulent phishing scheme,” Coinbase Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, stated. “We’re committed to protecting our customers and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement to hold scammers accountable and help bring justice for those they harm,” he added.
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MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
