The Daily: Exchange Operator Pleads Guilty, Scammer Fined Over $1.9 Million

In today’s edition of Bitcoin in Brief we cover a number of stories related to crime from around the cryptosphere: an exchange operator pleads guilty to securities fraud, a scammer is fined over $1.9 million for bitcoin and binary options fraud, police get a crypto course and a new type of ransomware attack is discovered. … Read more

Japanese Police Seize Cryptocurrency for Parking Violations

Japanese police have seized cryptocurrency belonging to a man with unpaid parking fines. The police explain that the revised fund settlement law enacted in April last year allows cryptocurrency to be seized like any other asset. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Crypto Seized for Parking Violations The Hyogo Prefectural Police traffic guidance … Read more

Special Unit Formed to Investigate Crypto Cases in India

A special investigations unit has been set up in the Indian state of Maharashtra where there is a rise in bitcoin-related scams. The unit will take over the investigation of all cases relating to cryptocurrency in the state that are currently handled by various police departments. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space … Read more

Japan Gives Jail Sentence to Crypto Miner in a Remote Mining Case

A Japanese district court has, for the first time, sentenced a man to prison in a remote crypto mining case. The case follows the arrests of Coinhive users by the police in 10 prefectures. However, this case is different from previously discussed cases of mining cryptocurrencies using website visitors’ computers. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance … Read more

European Police Forces Seize Over €4.5M in Crypto From Darknet LSD Market

It appears that there is an international crackdown on darknet marketplaces trading cryptocurrencies for recreational drugs. Soon after American undercover agents exposed dozens of vendors, European forces conducted what Europol calls “Europe’s biggest ever LSD bust.” Also Read: US Authorities Seize Over $20M in Crypto in Massive Darknet Crackdown “Europe’s Biggest Ever LSD Bust” The … Read more

Coinhive Users Speak Up After Being Investigated by Japanese Police

The Japanese Police have been cracking down on users of remote mining software apps, such as Coinhive, without their website visitors’ consent. After being investigated and having their property impounded, users are speaking up about the unfairness of the investigation. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Problems with the Investigations and Arrests … Read more

Six Fake Crypto Exchange Sites Busted by Ukraine’s Cyberpolice

The cybercrime combating unit of the Ukrainian police has uncovered a network of fraudulent crypto trading websites. Four people are suspected of offering the fake online exchange services. They have maintained at least six platforms luring cryptocurrency traders with deceptive messages. Also read: Survey: 13% of Net-Savvy Ukrainians Own Cryptocurrencies Police on the Lookout for More … Read more

Japanese Police Arrest Coinhive Users for Violating Law Banning Computer Viruses

Japanese police from 10 prefectures have arrested website operators using Coinhive to tap into the computer power of their site visitors to mine cryptocurrencies without consent. They are accused of violating the law banning the use of computer viruses. Some people have already been fined. The police have been monitoring the Coinhive program since it … Read more

Japan Cracks Down on Illegal Use of Computers to Mine Crypto

The police in Japan are cracking down on the illegal use of personal computers for cryptocurrency mining. Multiple prefectural police departments are currently investigating one particular case and pursuing criminal charges, which would make it the first criminal case in Japan where computers are illegally used for mining cryptocurrencies. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into … Read more

Korean Crypto Exchange Coinone and 20 Traders to Face Charges Over Margin Trading

The South Korean police are reportedly preparing to charge Coinone’s executives, including its CEO, and 20 of the exchange’s members. This follows a 10-month investigation on allegations that the exchange provided gambling services through its crypto margin trading program. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Coinone’s Investigation Concludes South Korea’s Cybercrime Investigation … Read more