Six Charged Over Alleged Madagascar-Based NFT Dating Scam
Summary
U.S. prosecutors charged six people over an alleged Madagascar-based scheme that used fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment sites to drain cryptocurrency wallets. The FBI linked about 74 wallets to 800 victims and estimated losses of at least $516,695.
Key points
- DOJ says the alleged scammers posed as women on dating sites, persuaded victims to connect cryptocurrency wallets to fraudulent NFT investment sites, and then secretly siphoned funds.
- The FBI identified about 74 cryptocurrency wallets associated with approximately 800 victims and estimated losses of at least $516,695.
- An affidavit says the group opened a scam compound in Madagascar early last year and had connections to China and Malaysia.
- Devices belonging to alleged scheme leader Chui Kok Wa contained employment contracts and scripts for scammers, including language describing the activity as an “emotional scam.”
- U.S. officials reviewed seized devices and interviewed workers in Madagascar; the Justice Department said Madagascar repatriated some suspects to China before the investigation was complete.
- The DOJ called on Madagascar to extradite the six charged defendants and said a material-witness warrant had been obtained to interview 15 scheme employees who claimed they were trafficked and abused.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Criminal charges against six people accused of operating an NFT investment scam using fake online dating profiles.
- Impact
- The FBI identified approximately 74 cryptocurrency wallets associated with approximately 800 victims and estimated losses of at least $516,695. The alleged scheme involved persuading victims to connect and fund cryptocurrency wallets, then secretly withdrawing funds.
People
Threat Actors
Chui Kok WaIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.Clement MugiranezaIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.Gislen NeukeuIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.Merveille MudacumuraIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.Nicodemus Hingima MonyanchaIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.Shamusa NinsiimaIdentified in the arrest affidavit as one of six people charged in the alleged scam; the article describes the scheme as using fake dating profiles and fraudulent NFT investment websites to steal cryptocurrency.
Countries
CambodiaInterviews with scam compound workers there revealed that Cambodian police activity and armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia led to operations at a Cambodian scam compound being moved to Madagascar.ChinaMugiraneza, Merveille Mudacumura and Nicodemus Hingima Monyancha — the criminal group with connections to China and Malaysia opened a scam compound in Madagascar early last year.MadagascarHingima Monyancha — the criminal group with connections to China and Malaysia opened a scam compound in Madagascar early last year.MalaysiaMerveille Mudacumura and Nicodemus Hingima Monyancha — the criminal group with connections to China and Malaysia opened a scam compound in Madagascar early last year.ThailandInterviews with scam compound workers there revealed that Cambodian police activity and armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia led to operations at a Cambodian scam compound being moved to Madagascar.United StatesThe U.S. District of Columbia’s Scam Center Task Force, the FBI’s field office in Honolulu and the U.S.