Crypto Crackdown: $225M In Stolen Funds Seized In Global ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam: DOJ Crypto Crackdown: $225M In Stolen Funds Seized In Global ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam: DOJ
Crypto Crackdown: $225M In Stolen Funds Seized In Global ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam: DOJ Federal officials seized more than $225 million in stolen cryptocurrency in what they say is the largest-ever seizure of funds linked to a crypto confidence scam in US history. The civil forfeiture complaint, filed in Washington, DC, targets over $225.3 million in crypto assets that investigators say were tied to a complex global fraud operation.  According to the Justice Department, scammers used fake cryptocurrency investment platforms to trick hundreds of victims into transferring money into fraudulent accounts. Authorities say the scammers dispersed stolen funds across hundreds of…
Baltimore Man Flew Drone Over Packed Ravens Game, Triggered Security Scare: Officials Baltimore Man Flew Drone Over Packed Ravens Game, Triggered Security Scare: Officials
Baltimore Man Flew Drone Over Packed Ravens Game, Triggered Security Scare: Officials A Baltimore man who flew a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during a Ravens Wild Card playoff game has pleaded guilty in federal court — and will avoid jail time, officials announced. Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, admitted to knowingly and willfully violating national defense airspace when he launched an unregistered drone directly over the stadium on Jan. 11, during the NFL’s playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Federal prosecutors said Suarez captured seven aerial photos over the crowd, triggering a temporary pause in the game and a full security response by NFL officials, the FBI, …
ICE Seen Operating In Beacon: Mayor Says City Had No Prior Warning ICE Seen Operating In Beacon: Mayor Says City Had No Prior Warning
ICE Seen Operating In Beacon: Mayor Says City Had No Prior Warning Federal immigration agents conducted an operation in a Dutchess County city, officials confirmed.  The activity happened on Friday, June 20 in the City of Beacon, where residents reported US Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity earlier in the day, city officials said.  Mayor Lee Kyriacou confirmed the reports in a statement and emphasized that the city had no involvement in the operation. "I want to make clear that at no time leading up to this incident did City staff, including our Police Department, have any notice of or involvement in ICE operations," Kyriacou wro…
Peekskill Murder Suspect Captured In Mexico After Year-Long Manhunt: Officials Peekskill Murder Suspect Captured In Mexico After Year-Long Manhunt: Officials
Peekskill Murder Suspect Captured In Mexico After Year-Long Manhunt: Officials A man accused in the brutal stabbing death of a Westchester resident was captured in Mexico more than a year after the crime, police said.  Walter F. Bustos-Solis, who has been wanted in connection with a Peekskill homicide since June 2024, was taken into custody by federal authorities in Puebla City, Mexico, on Thursday, June 12, the Peekskill Police Department announced on Thursday, June 19.  He has since been extradited to the United States and is now in the custody of Peekskill Police and the FBI. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday, June 20.  Police sai…
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers 'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers Federal agents have seized the largest amount of cryptocurrency ever related to "pig butchering" scams, where victims were tricked into fake online relationships. The Department of Justice announced the seizure of $225.3 million in crypto from the global "confidence scam" on Wednesday, June 18. The scam is also known as "pig butchering" since it uses tactics used to "fatten up" victims before draining their savings. Scammers relied on false identities through online messaging to gain trust and enter fake relationships before pushing fraudulent investments. "These scams prey …
Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says
Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says A viral video has sparked a political firestorm in Sullivan County, with a Republican sheriff candidate calling for multiple investigations into what he alleges is a “criminal case” involving top officials at the Sheriff’s Office.  In a statement posted Thursday, June 12, Sullivan County sheriff candidate Tim Dymond demanded that Sheriff Mike Schiff immediately suspend Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, whom he referred to as “Schiff’s handpicked #2,” pending an Internal Affairs investigation.  He said the video, shared last week on social media, “shows clear evidence of an improper…
Ex-Hoboken Official Who Stole Half A Million In Taxpayer Funds For Lavish Life Sentenced Ex-Hoboken Official Who Stole Half A Million In Taxpayer Funds For Lavish Life Sentenced
Ex-Hoboken Official Who Stole Half A Million In Taxpayer Funds For Lavish Life Sentenced A former top Hoboken official who oversaw city recreation programs will spend the next two years behind bars for embezzling nearly half a million dollars from taxpayers, federal officials said. Pantaleo “Leo” Pellegrini, Hoboken’s former Director of Health and Human Services and Director of the Department of Environmental Services, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for embezzling money from the City of Hoboken and filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said on Tuesday, June 17. Pellegrini had previously pleaded guilty to the charges before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Far…
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says If you get a call from someone claiming to be the FBI or another government agency and threatens arrest unless you pay up, hang up. Scammers across the country are impersonating federal authorities and spoofing legitimate government phone numbers in a rising wave of fraud, authorities say. Victims are being told they face immediate arrest unless they send money via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, cash, or cryptocurrency. The threats are fake, but the financial losses are very real. Here’s how the scam works: Caller ID spoofing — Scammers manipulate phone numbers so it looks like the …
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know There’s a scam targeting drivers through text messages pretending to be from the DMV. Cybercriminals who once claimed victims owed unpaid tolls are now pivoting to a new phishing attack, according to authorities. If you’ve received a text message warning that your driver’s license is about to be suspended due to unpaid tickets, stop and think before you click. It might be a scam. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are alerting the public about a new wave of phishing scams — specifically “smishing,” or fraudulent text messages — that claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
Caught: Suspect In Double Murders Captured After 43-Hour Minnesota Manhunt Caught: Suspect In Double Murders Captured After 43-Hour Minnesota Manhunt
Caught: Suspect In Double Murders Captured After 43-Hour Minnesota Manhunt The suspect in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses has been apprehended after a two-day manhunt. New, updated story: Gunman Went To Total Of 4 Lawmakers’ Homes Night Of Double-Fatal Shooting: Feds Vance L. Boelter, age 57, now faces second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder charges, according to a criminal complaint after his arrest late Sunday night, June 15. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said at a press conference Boelter's arrest came after "two sleepless nights" in the state and what he described as a "complex and dangerous manhunt" involving hundr…
Massive Manhunt: Friend Reveals Shocking Text From Suspect After Deadly Minnesota Shootings Massive Manhunt: Friend Reveals Shocking Text From Suspect After Deadly Minnesota Shootings
Massive Manhunt: Friend Reveals Shocking Text From Suspect After Deadly Minnesota Shootings A man accused of killing a state lawmaker in Minnesota and her husband sent a chilling text to friends after the politically motivated double shooting, writing that he “may be dead shortly” as a massive manhunt for him enters its second day. New update - Caught: Suspect In Double Murders Captured After 43-Hour Minnesota Manhunt Vance L. Boelter is described as being 6-foot-1, 220 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes, according to the FBI. He should be considered armed and dangerous, the agency says. A hit list was reportedly found in the police-type vehicle the suspect left in the drivew…
Woman, 2 Men Paid People To Produce Videos Of Monkeys Being Tortured, DOJ Says Woman, 2 Men Paid People To Produce Videos Of Monkeys Being Tortured, DOJ Says
Woman, 2 Men Paid People To Produce Videos Of Monkeys Being Tortured, DOJ Says Three Americans have been accused of participating in online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. An indictment, unsealed on Wednesday, June 11, names Katrina D. Favret, of Tennessee, and Robert M. Craig, of North Carolina, according to the US Department of Justice. They are accused of conspiring with Ronald P. Bedra, of Etna, Ohio — who was previously charged — to produce so-called animal crush videos. Favret is also charged with directly creating and distributing such content. According to court documents, the group wo…