Tag Archives: Financial Crime

A 16-year-old boy from East London is facing multiple terrorism charges for allegedly attempting to raise cryptocurrency for Al Qaeda. Prosecutors claim that the teenager offered his skills in digital currency and cybersecurity to aid the terrorist organization. Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Charges The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, has been charged with terrorist fundraising, training in acts of terrorism, and possession of documents containing information...

Bitcoin has remained the most used cryptocurrency by criminals, even with the rise of privacy coins like Monero. According to the recent Europol Internet Organized Crime Threat Assessment report, financial crimes are also still the main illicit crypto use. Bitcoin’s Popularity with Criminals Sparks Concerns Bitcoin has been the preferred asset for ransomware groups due to its accessibility for non-savvy users compared to alternatives like Monero (XMR). Despite this, criminals...

In Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, a 3-year-old boy was abducted from a shopping mall on July 3. Following the incident, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 660,000 USDT, which is about HK$5.15 million. Hong Kong Kidnappers Demand USDT The boy’s parents were instructed to download the Telegram messaging app and purchase the USDT ransom from an offline OTC store. They were also warned against contacting the police to keep their child safe. The Hong Kong Police Organized Crime and...

Two individuals were detained and questioned by the UK Metropolitan Police and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for allegedly running an illegal cryptocurrency operation exceeding 1 billion British pounds ($1.2 billion) in the region. The FCA emphasized key registration requirements for crypto businesses and issued consumer warnings. Suspects Arrested and Questioned According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a substantial amount of crypto assets has flowed...

A recent report from blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic titled “AI-enabled crime in the cryptoasset ecosystem” has shed light on the emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in cryptocurrency crime. The report, supported by case studies, identifies five emerging types of AI-enabled crimes, ranging from deepfake scams to state-sponsored cyberattacks, emphasizing that these threats are still in their infancy. AI Deepfake Scams AI, while having the potential to...

A Taiwanese national has been charged with running Incognito Market, a darknet drug bazaar, and arrested after authorities tracked the platform’s transactions. The platform has transacted more than $100 million in crypto through selling illegal narcotics such as fentanyl. Incognito Market Founder Arrested and Charged On May 18, U.S. authorities arrested Rui-Siang Lin, 23, operating under the pseudonym “Pharoah,” at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. According to FBI...

According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the U.S. Treasury Department is investigating $165 million worth of cryptocurrency transactions that might have supported Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo signed a letter revealing these findings based on examining suspicious activity reports submitted between January 2020 and October 2023. Treasury Deputy Pushes for Legislation Adeyemo’s letter, addressed to the...