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Throwaway Cigarette Leads to $13M Crypto Scammer's Capture

In a surprising turn of events, a 60-year-old fugitive responsible for a $13 million cryptocurrency scam has been apprehended in South Korea. The man's downfall came not from a sophisticated sting operation, but from an everyday act of littering.

For nearly five years, the suspect managed to evade authorities. However, his run came to an abrupt end when he carelessly discarded a cigarette butt on a Seoul street.

From Digital Fraud to Street Littering

On Wednesday, law enforcement in Seoul's Gwanak District stopped the man after witnessing him litter. When questioned, the suspect refused to provide identification and attempted to flee the scene. His behavior raised suspicions, prompting officers to investigate further.

The man's actions became increasingly erratic as he tried to bribe the officers and pleaded for leniency. He even feigned a phone call in an attempt to distract authorities before making another escape attempt. Despite his efforts, he was promptly arrested.

Unveiling a Crypto Mastermind

Following his arrest, investigators discovered that the man, identified only as "A," was the mastermind behind a massive cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Between 2018 and 2019, he allegedly defrauded approximately 1,300 individuals, amassing ill-gotten gains of 17.7 billion won ($13 million).

After orchestrating the fraud, the suspect vanished in 2020. His capture this week marks the end of a long-running manhunt, with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office now handling the case. Prior to his arrest, the fugitive was already wanted on 10 charges, including fraud and assault.

Notable Crypto Scammer Slip-ups

This incident is not isolated in the world of cryptocurrency-related crimes. In 2012, James Zhong illicitly acquired 50,000 bitcoins from an online marketplace, assets that would be worth over $5.6 billion today. Rather than laundering the funds discreetly, Zhong stored the digital assets in physical wallets hidden throughout his residence. His downfall began in 2019 when his home was burglarized. Upon reporting the theft to authorities, the IRS became involved, ultimately leading to his arrest and conviction.

Another infamous case involved Heather Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein, a married couple who executed one of the largest cryptocurrency heists in history. Their careless mistakes and questionable decisions led to their undoing after being linked to a 2016 theft of 119,000 bitcoins from a digital currency platform. Instead of cautious money laundering, they used fake accounts and conducted transactions that left obvious digital trails. Morgan further complicated matters by creating an eccentric alter ego known as "Razzlekhan," posting conspicuous rap videos and flaunting a lavish lifestyle while already under investigation. By 2022, the couple was apprehended in New York with access to billions in stolen bitcoin, with Lichtenstein admitting to the hack and Morgan pleading guilty to money laundering in what became one of the most peculiar cases in cryptocurrency crime history.