Brooklyn Man Steals $16 Million from Coinbase Users in Crypto Scam

Highlights:

• Ronald Spektor tricked over 100 Coinbase users and stole $16 million in cryptocurrency.
• He used fake calls, fear, and wallets to steal and launder funds.
• Police traced wallets, arrested helpers, and are working to recover stolen money.

A Brooklyn resident has been accused of running a $16 million crypto phishing scam. He targeted more than 100 Coinbase users. Ronald Spektor, 23, reportedly tricked victims into sending digital assets to wallets he controlled. He used fear and impersonation to convince them. Prosecutors said Spektor, who goes online as “lolimfeelingevil,” called people pretending to be Coinbase staff. He told them hackers were trying to steal their funds. He then instructed victims to transfer their digital assets to accounts he claimed were secure under his control.

Spektor Stole Millions and Lost Some in Gambling

Once he got the digital assets, the suspect reportedly laundered them. He used cryptocurrency mixers, swapping platforms, and gambling websites. Authorities said Spektor openly bragged about his actions in a Telegram group called Blockchain Enemies. He admitted losing about $6 million in digital assets to gambling.

One victim contacted blockchain investigator ZachXBT, who shared details of the scam last year. This person reported losing more than $6 million. Prosecutors said other victims were located across the country, with many losing millions because of Spektor’s scheme.

A Pennsylvania resident said that in September last year, he got a call from someone claiming to be Fred Wilson of Coinbase. The caller used fake two-factor authentication texts from Coinbase and Google. This trick made him believe his assets were in danger. The man lost $53,150. Another woman lost $38,750 using the same trick. Authorities said Spektor recruited other people online as social engineers. They helped run the scam and bragged about the heists, making the scheme bigger and affecting more victims.

Spektor now faces 31 charges, including first-degree larceny, first-degree money laundering, and participating in a scheme to defraud. He lives with his father in Brooklyn, and investigators traced several stolen crypto wallets to the home’s IP address. A judge set bail at $500,000 but did not allow Spektor’s father to post it, citing unclear sources of the money. Prosecutors said the case shows the dangers of crypto scams nationwide and the need for investors to stay vigilant.

Authorities and Coinbase Collaborate to Stop Large-Scale Crypto Phishing Scam

Coinbase assisted law enforcement throughout the investigation. Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, stated that the company was committed to protecting its customers and working closely with law enforcement to hold scammers accountable and help bring justice for the victims. He added that Coinbase had provided on-chain activity data and helped trace stolen funds to support prosecution.

Brooklyn District Attorney Gonzalez said that the indictment showed Spektor’s scam had targeted innocent investors across the country. He emphasized that Brooklyn would not serve as a hub for online fraud and explained that authorities would investigate offenders using the latest technology, freeze their assets whenever possible, and assist the victims.