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U.S. DOJ Charges 18 Individuals and Entities in Global Crypto Fraud Crackdown!
The U.S. DOJ has charged 18 individuals and entities in an international operation targeting market manipulation and fraud in the crypto industry. The defendants, including market makers and token promoters, are accused of using wash trading and false trading activity to deceive retail investors and artificially inflate crypto prices. This is the first major criminal case of its kind in the crypto market.
Latest Updates
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Gotbit and Russian Executives Charged by U.S. DOJ and SEC for Crypto Market Manipulation!
Gotbit Consulting LLC, along with its Russian executives, has been charged by the U.S. DOJ and SEC for its role in a widespread market manipulation scheme. By using wash trades, Gotbit inflated crypto asset prices and volumes, deceiving investors and raising millions in illicit profits. The company’s fraudulent activities were executed across multiple jurisdictions, with key figures now facing extradition and prosecution.
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SEC Charges Market Manipulators in Crackdown on Crypto Asset Fraud
The U.S. SEC has charged three market makers and nine individuals for manipulating the crypto asset market, generating artificial trading volumes and misleading retail investors. The fraudulent schemes created the illusion of active markets, prompting unsuspecting investors to pour money into manipulated crypto assets. The DOJ filed criminal charges against the scheme operators in a parallel transaction.
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Crypto Exchange Crypto.com Sues US SEC Over Regulatory Overreach!
Crypto.com, the Singapore-based crypto exchange with more than 100 million users, has filed a lawsuit against the SEC, challenging the regulator’s authority over crypto assets and accusing it of overstepping its jurisdiction. The lawsuit comes after a Wells notice was issued to the platform, signaling the SEC’s intent to take enforcement action.
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The End of The Google Era: US Government Threatens Google with Break-Up Over Search Monopoly!
In August 2024, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in the online search market. Following this landmark decision, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering asking the court to force Google to sell off parts of its business. This could potentially lead to the first major corporate breakup in four decades. Google, however, warns of significant consequences for businesses and consumers.
Payment Processors
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Starscream Casinos: Offshore Casino Operator, Potential Regulatory Evasion, Payment Facilitators, and More Cyprus Connections!
Online casinos are easily transferable digital assets. The transfer of Gammix Ltd's casinos to offshore operator Starscream Ltd raises serious questions about the continued illegal gambling activities in Europe. Despite massive penalties from the Dutch regulator KSA, Gammix appears to have simply shifted its operations offshore, where it continues to flout regulatory oversight facilitated by regulated payment processors.
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Cybercrime Alert to Payment Processors: Warning Against Acceptance of Anonymous Domain app-paymentgw.pgws2b.com
The FinTelegram research team has identified a suspicious domain https://app-paymentgw.pgws2b.com currently deployed by several anonymously operated online casinos of Liernin Enterprises, including Malina Casino, Talismania, SlotUna, and others. This domain has been flagged due to its association with activities that potentially violate financial regulations and legal standards for online gambling.
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Report on Cazimbo Casino: The Role of Payment Processors in Facilitating Illegal Online Casinos!
Another day, another exposed illegal online casino facilitated via Cyprus. Payment processors play a crucial role in sustaining this underground economy. FinTelegram's research repeatedly reveals that without these facilitating payment processors, many illegal online schemes, particularly in the gambling sector, would not thrive. Currently, we are focusing on the brands of the collapsed Rabidi Group that continue to operate anonymously and unauthorized. Here is our report on Cazimbo.
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The Rabidi Case: The Mysterious Actions of Beneficial Owner Denys Butko and Other Connections
The case of the Rabidi Group is a prime example of the opacity of the online casino sector. Rabidi, once a significant player in the online gambling industry with a Curacao license, has recently come under scrutiny after the group's sudden disappearance following its bankruptcy in June 2023. Following FinTelegram reports, Denys Butko, the alleged beneficial owner recently deleted his LinkedIn profile.
Cybercrime Court Cases
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High-Profile Maltese Money Laundering & Corruption Case Continues with Keith Schembri Challenging Forensic Expert’s Impartiality!
Keith Schembri, former Chief of Staff of the Maltese Prime Minister, is accused of money laundering and corruption. His legal team has requested that forensic expert Samuel Sittlington, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa, and former Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Mamo testify to clarify alleged negotiations for consultancy services during the investigation. The defense calls into question the expert’s independence, further complicating an already contentious trial.
Regulatory Updates
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A Wealthy UK Socialite Accused of Laundering £200 Million in Criminal Cash via Dubai!
The wealthy UK socialite James Stunt, along with four other men, faces accusations of laundering over £200 million in criminal cash through UK-based gold dealers. The prosecution claims that Stunt's company received 70% of the proceeds, with connections to international money launderers in Dubai, pointing to a massive, organized operation between 2014 and 2016.
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US Treasury Forgives Ukraine Looters!
On 26 September 2024, the United States Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ‘FinCEN’ made the astonishing decision to drop sanctions against ABLV Bank of Latvia. ABLV was sanctioned in 2018 for a list of reasons, including helping Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich’s bagman, Serhiy Kurchenko, steal billions of dollars from Ukraine.
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Gurbir Grewal’s Departure from the SEC: His New Position and Potential Impact on Crypto Regulation!
Gurbir S. Grewal, the former Director of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has left his position to join Milbank LLP, one of the most innovative and prestigious law firms globally. This transition from his high-profile regulatory role to private practice is likely to have lasting implications, particularly on the SEC’s enforcement strategy in the crypto sector.
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