Five individuals have been sentenced to prison after defrauding over 40,000 investors in a cryptocurrency scam, amassing $21.6 million. The funds were used to fuel a life of luxury, with purchases including a shark tank, private jet rides, and expensive parties in Dubai. Austrian authorities have described the case as the largest crypto fraud trial in the country’s history.
The group ran multiple fraudulent schemes, including the EXW Wallet and EXW token, which promised daily returns of up to 0.32%. These scams, launched in late 2019, collapsed in 2020, leaving investors in financial ruin. The Klagenfurt Regional Court sentenced two key members to five years in prison, while others received sentences ranging from 18 to 30 months. Despite the convictions, some scammers remain at large, continuing to evade justice.
The Crypto Scammers indulged in a lavish lifestyle, spending stolen funds recklessly like a case of Malone Crypto Scammers. According to Austrian news outlet Heute, their extravagant purchases included private jet rides, parties at elite clubs in Dubai, and even a shark tank in a Bali villa. Over $100,000 was reportedly spent on sex workers, further highlighting the reckless spending habits of the criminals. Despite their vast fortune, the stolen money did not last long.
The international nature of the crime posed challenges for prosecutors, as many of the operations were based in Dubai, where the group stored and transported money in plastic bags to Austria. Complications arose due to the lack of an extradition agreement between Austria and the United Arab Emirates, making it difficult to bring all the perpetrators to justice. While some members have surrendered, others continue to elude authorities. The defendants involved in the case are also linked to other fraudulent activities, including a cannabis-related scam that victimized over 17,000 people.
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