Crypto exchange Bitmex has pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) by failing to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) program, resulting in the company being a vehicle for large-scale money laundering. The DOJ announced this plea following previous legal actions and settlements. Bitmex says: “We have accepted the BSA charge, will seek […]
Paxful Co-Founder Pleads Guilty to AML Conspiracy — Faces up to 5 Years in US Prison
A Paxful co-founder has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program on the peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platform. This led to various criminal activities being conducted on the platform, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). He faces up to five years in prison and will step down […]
Fake Crypto Fund Operator Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Investors
Michael Joseph McElhiney, age 37 and formerly of Spokane, Washington, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday. Between March 4, 2021, and Sept. 10, 2022, McElhiney defrauded investors by falsely claiming to operate a cryptocurrency investment fund called Mac Blockchain Solutions. He contacted victims in person, via […]
Crypto Scam Promoter Pleads Guilty, Faces Up to 20 Years in US Prison
Juan Tacuri, a major promoter of the cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme Forcount, later renamed Weltsys, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Southern District of New York. The scheme primarily targeted Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S., and Tacuri benefited significantly, amassing millions from his fraudulent activities. Scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 24, […]
Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Bitcoin for Dark Web Hitman
In Salt Lake City, Krista Renae Stone, 23, pleaded guilty to using the dark web to arrange a murder-for-hire in 2023. According to court documents, Stone utilized bitcoin to pay $ 5,000 for the hit. Between March and September 2023, she accessed a website offering “hitman for hire” services, providing detailed information about the …