A resident of Mykolaiv region is suspected of cryptocurrency fraud amounting to over 14.6 million hryvnias. According to the investigation, a 44-year-old man seized digital assets by posing as an expert in the field of cryptocurrencies.
This is reported by Business • Media
Fraud Scheme Using Binance and Trust Wallet
In 2022, the suspect met a resident of Zhytomyr region through the messaging app Telegram. They discussed various issues related to investments and the circulation of virtual assets. The perpetrator positioned himself as a professional in the cryptocurrency field and offered to assist with the transfer of assets.
In the summer of 2024, he approached an acquaintance with a proposal to transfer cryptocurrency from the Binance exchange to a Trust Wallet, using a special code. The victim, trusting the suspect, entered the provided combination of characters into his own account and transferred over 25.58 million NOT tokens (worth over $355,000 at that time) to the specified wallet.
Consequences and Criminal Liability
After receiving the funds, the suspect converted part of the assets into cash using international cryptocurrency exchanges. The total amount of losses for the victim amounts to over 14.6 million hryvnias.
“Law enforcement officials have announced charges against a 44-year-old resident of Mykolaiv region, who is accused of cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering obtained through criminal means.”
He has been charged under Part 5 of Article 190 (fraud in especially large amounts) and Part 2 of Article 209 (legalization of property obtained through criminal means) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. If found guilty, the man faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
It is worth noting that earlier reports mentioned a court case against a pseudo-trader from Odesa, who is suspected of cryptocurrency fraud amounting to 42 million hryvnias.