Two men sentenced for cryptocurrency scam
It follows an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Two men who stole more than £5.7 million worth of cryptocurrency from victims all over the world have been sentenced
It follows an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
42 year-old James Heppel, from Staverton and Jake Lee, who's 38 from Bath, both pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud. Lee was sentenced to four years and Heppel to 15 months at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The pair carried out the fraud by spoofing the domain of online cryptocurrency exchange blockchain. com to access victims’ Bitcoin wallets, stealing their funds and login details.
In total, 55 victims in 26 different countries have been identified. Cash totalling £835k, which includes a suitcase containing £551k cash voluntarily handed over by Lee in January, as well as £64k worth of cryptocurrency, a Banksy print worth £60k and three vehicles, have all been restrained.
A confiscation order for nearly £1million was made against Lee, which will be used to compensate the victims.