$2.4 million in stolen crypto recovered in three months

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Six cyber schemes were dismantled in Florida in the span of three months, targeting seniors and involving identity theft and fraudulent activities.

Bạn đang xem: $2.4 million in stolen crypto recovered in three months

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office said its Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit (CFEU) apprehended seven cybercriminals across six cases, recovering nearly $2.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency, with over $100,000 already returned to victims since October.

The CFEU, comprising criminal and civil attorneys, collaborates with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies to prosecute cybercrimes statewide.

Xem thêm : El Salvador, Argentina, and Brazil Shape the Future of Cryptocurrency in Latin America

“In just the past three months, we have taken down six major cybercrimes. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of scammers, but my office is constantly working to protect Floridians and hold these cybercriminals accountable,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody.

Three of the schemes specifically targeted older Floridians. Tamer Elia, an employee of Fifth Third Bank, was allegedly caught stealing personal identity and bank information from 13 seniors, attempting to drain their financial accounts, according to the Florida Attorney General’s Office. The bank collaborated with the CFEU to halt the fraud.

In another case, Jose Batista executed a grandparent scam, posing as a grandchild in distress to extract money from seniors. Batista allegedly fabricated a story about a car crash with a pregnant woman, requiring bail money, and sent couriers to collect the funds, according to the news release.

See also: Legless man ditches wheelchair for getaway car after allegedly stealing from Walgreens

Xem thêm : What Are CBDCs? Could They Ever Truly Replace Cryptocurrency?

Additionally, the CFEU shut down a fraudulent crypto-trading website that mimicked legitimate platforms, misleading victims into depositing money that was siphoned into scammers’ accounts.

The remaining cases involved identity theft. Jamie Bain impersonated a university student to secure a $12,000 loan and attempted to buy a fishing boat. Zachary Jones used a stolen identity to purchase a car, later selling it for cash and falsely reporting it as stolen. Donald Johnson altered the mailing addresses of Florida businesses to his home, intercepting nearly $140,000 in company funds.

Attorney General Moody has released online resources, including “Scams at a Glance: Grandparent Grifts” and “Scams at a Glance: Identity Scams,” available in English and Spanish, to help Floridians avoid cyber scams. Residents are encouraged to report cyber scams to local law enforcement and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day’s top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can’t miss video.