Man Arrested For Stealing $1.8 Million In Cryptocurrency At Gunpoint In New Type Of Crime

ethereum

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The New York County District Attorney’s Office has filed Grand Larceny, Robbery, and Kidnapping charges against Louis Meza in relation to a new type of crime. When I say ‘new type of crime’ I don’t mean that this is the first time in history someone’s been held at gunpoint and has been forced to do something against their will. However, this is a unique case where someone was held at gunpoint in their apartment and were forced to transfer $1.8 MILLION worth of Ethereum cryptocurrency.

The Manhattan’s District Attorney’s Office released the following statement about this crime:

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of LOUIS MEZA, 35, for participating in the kidnapping, armed robbery, and theft of more than $1.8 million in Ether, a cryptocurrency. The defendant is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, among other charges.[1]



Video surveillance later obtained from the victim’s apartment building showed MEZA using the set of keys stolen from the victim to enter the victim’s apartment and then leave the apartment holding a box believed to contain the victim’s digital wallet. Additional records reveal that soon after obtaining the victim’s digital wallet, the defendant then transferred approximately $1.8 million in Ether to his own personal account. (via)

New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. goes on to state that “We can expect this type of crime to become increasingly common as cryptocurrency values surge upward.” I don’t know about you, but this makes me want to completely outfit my house with security cameras from floor to ceiling. I’ve already got a pretty dope security/alarm system, one of the best on the market, but I’m thinking I want a camera in every corner of every room of the house. Without the surveillance footage, this person would’ve gotten away with $1.8 million in untraceable Ethereum cryptocurrency.

Question: If you’re investing in these currencies, does this freak you out? Do you feel the need to ramp up your personal security? Are you suddenly second-guessing who you’ve been talking to about your investments?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been kicking myself for not investing in Bitcoin years ago when friends told me I should. This is the first time I’ve felt okay with not being involved in the Crypto world.

You can read the full press release from the DA’s office by following this link. (h/t Coindesk)

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Cass Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief of BroBible. Based out of Florida, he covers an array of topics including NFL, Pop Culture, Fishing News, and the Outdoors.