Police seize man’s (Larry Harmon) Bitcoin for running a Bitcoin mixer service called Helix, but man’s brother (Gary Harmon) recreates the Bitcoins to steal them back! This all stems from the Larry running a Bitcoin mixer service, which is a service people can use to more anonymously buy goods from the dark net.
Gary pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud and obstructing an official proceeding. Gary was sentenced to four years and three months in April 2023!
Knowing that the government was seeking to recover the bitcoin stored on the seized device for forfeiture in Larry Harmon’s criminal case, Gary Harmon used his brother’s credentials to recreate the bitcoin wallets stored on the device and covertly transfer more than 712 bitcoin, valued at approximately $4.8 million at the time, to his own wallets – stealing those funds and obstructing the pending criminal forfeiture proceeding. Gary Harmon further laundered the proceeds through two online bitcoin mixer services before using the laundered bitcoins to finance large purchases and other expenditures.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-stealing-over-712-bitcoin-subject-forfeiture
Further Reading:
- https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-stealing-over-712-bitcoin-subject-forfeiture
- https://www.databreaches.net/man-sentenced-for-stealing-over-712-bitcoin-subject-to-forfeiture/
- https://www.hackread.com/man-used-brothers-credentials-steal-seized-bitcoin/
- https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60090297/united-states-v-harmon/
- https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60090729/united-states-v-harmon/
- https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16830474/parties/united-states-v-harmon/
- https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2021/08/18/bitcoin-mixing-ceo-harmon-pleads-guilty-to-us-money-laundering-charge/ (Photo)
- https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/01/06/brother-of-criminal-bitcoin-mixing-ceo-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-712-bitcoins-from-irs/ (Photo)
- https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-bitcoin-thief-who-used-48m-in-stolen-funds-for-lavish-life-sentenced-to-four-years-in-prison-41896779 (Photo)
Leave a Reply