SEIZED CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Fake US officials, forged court orders and gold pick-ups: How a Hyderabad call centre targeted nearly 2 million citizens and stole Rs 261 crore
The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered a fake call centre syndicate that allegedly defrauded US citizens of millions. Investigators arrested seven individuals involved in this international money laundering operation. The syndicate impersonated US federal officials and pressured victims to pay money through various channels. Seized evidence includes forged documents and the personal information of numerous US nationals. The investigation continues to identify additional participants and trace the flow of illegal funds.
North Korean hackers linked to crypto thefts among world's best, experts say
Blockchain investigation firms TRM Labs and Chainalysis attribute the heist to a North Korean hacking group known as "TraderTraitor," a name used in a 2022 joint warning from the FBI, CISA and US Treasury that described how hackers used malicious software and other tricks to target software developers and IT staff at cryptocurrency companies.
Branch managers, 37 mule accounts & Rs 7.3 crore racket: How labourers were lured with loan promises only to have their documents misused. Police probe Chinese link
Two branch managers of a private bank are under investigation for their alleged role in a Rs 7.3-crore mule-account racket linked to 99 cybercrime complaints across India. Six people, including one branch manager, have been arrested, while another manager remains absconding. Police are probing alleged forged KYC documents, suspected cryptocurrency transactions and a possible link to a Chinese national.
Three graduates learnt fake note printing from Instagram reels, arrested with 2549 counterfeit Rs 100 currency; gang avoided Rs 500 fearing stricter checks in shops
Fake note: Three men, a BSc graduate, a law student and a BA final year student, were arrested in Greater Noida with 2,549 fake Rs 100 notes. Police say the gang learnt printing from Instagram reels, avoided Rs 500 notes fearing stricter checks, and had been running the racket for over a year.
As Thailand cracks down on foreigners, a tourist paradise reconsiders its welcome
Thailand is facing a growing backlash against foreign influence in its tourist hotspots, particularly southern islands such as Koh Phangan, Phuket and Koh Samui. Locals fear foreign investors and businesses are reshaping communities, driving up property prices and pushing residents out.
Dollar holds gains, yen slips as Mideast energy shock deepens
Currently, the dollar stands firm near its weekly highs, whereas the yen is on a downward trajectory, fueled by apprehensions surrounding energy supply. Producer prices in the U.S. ticked up as expected, further strengthening the dollar's performance. Brent crude futures have risen past the $100 mark, leading to increased scrutiny on upcoming U.S. CPI data before the Federal Reserve's interest rate deliberations.

ED freezes over 100 'mule' accounts, seizes Rs 70 lakh cash in cocaine trafficking case
The ED covered five premises in Delhi-NCR and Jaipur during the searches. The seized party drug was estimated to be worth Rs 900 crore by the NCB and five persons were arrested by the central anti-narcotics agency. "The searches indicated an online betting and gambling network being operated through mobile-based applications.

China debates how to handle criminal crypto cache
Money involved in crypto-related crimes surged 10-fold to 430.7 billion yuan ($59 billion) in 2023, according to blockchain security firm SAFEIS. Last year, China sued 3,032 people involved in crypto-related money laundering, according to the country's top procurator.

GainBitcoin scam case: CBI seizes cryptocurrencies worth over Rs 23.94 crore
The agency has sent the electronic devices for forensic analysis to uncover further details regarding the misappropriation of funds and potential international transactions linked to the scam, the officials said.

Crypto Users Beware: Hamas stole Rs 4 crore from Delhi user's wallet to fund Israel attack, claims Mossad
Delhi Police's Special Cell is investigating a case of cryptocurrency theft where a west Delhi businessman had approximately Rs 4 crore stolen from his wallet. The investigation took a breakthrough when Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, shared information about suspect wallets operated by terrorist groups. The stolen assets were traced to wallets operated by the cyber terrorism wing of Hamas. Intelligence agencies are on high alert for renewed hacking efforts by Hamas.

ED seizes Rs 1,144 crore crime proceeds, arrests 20 persons in crypto fraud cases
Further, under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) assets amounting to Rs 270.18 crore have been seized under section 37A of FEMA and one show cause notice to cryptocurrency exchange Zanmai Labs Pvt Ltd, known as WazirX, and its Directors under FEMA for transactions involving cryptocurrencies worth Rs 2,790.74 crore has also been issued.

New York couple plead guilty to bitcoin laundering
In total, the couple admitted to laundering conspiracies arising from the theft of approximately 120,000 bitcoin from Bitfinex, a global cryptocurrency exchange.

ED investigating several cases related to crypto, digital currency frauds: MoS Finance
Crypto assets are currently unregulated in India. Frauds relating to crypto are dealt with under extant laws against fraud and cyber crime.

ED investigating several cases related to crypto/digital currency frauds: MoS Finance
Further, under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) assets amounting to Rs 289.28 crore have been seized. The minister said one show cause notice to cryptocurrency exchange Zanmai Labs Pvt Ltd, known as WazirX, and its Directors under FEMA for transactions involving cryptocurrencies worth Rs 2,790.74 crore have also been issued.

ED investigating several cryptocurrency-related crimes; proceeds worth Rs 953 crore seized: FM
Proceeds amounting to Rs 953.70 crore from criminal activities involving cryptocurrencies have been seized, frozen or attached under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in Parliament on Monday.

FTX says Bahamas regulators hold $296 million, not $3.5 billion of company's assets
FTX has been at odds with Bahamian officials ever since filing for bankruptcy protection on Nov. 11. The Bahamian officials have asked for access to FTX's records to assist with the liquidation of FTX DM, but FTX's U.S. bankruptcy team said they do not trust Bahamian officials with that information.

How Israel’s intel helped Delhi cops crack crypto hacking case
Communication from a foreign intelligence agency to the Indian intelligence flagging crypto wallets being operated by al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, led Delhi Police to crack a one-of-its-kind crypto hacking case. Hamas is known to be using cryptocurrencies, which are comparatively difficult to trace, to raise funds and transfer them using a series of digital wallets.

Kosovo seizes hundreds of cryptocurrency mining devices
Tensions between the Serb-majority area and the ethnic Albanian majority government are running high and Kosovo's government on Tuesday brought in a temporary ban on cryptocurrency mining in an effort to bring down electricity consumption.

British police seize record $408 million haul of cryptocurrency
London police said on Tuesday they had seized 180 million pounds of an undisclosed cryptocurrency less than three weeks after making a 114 million pound haul on June 24 as part of a money laundering investigation.
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