NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Russia: An educational project on information modeling technologies for students of secondary vocational education has been launched at SPbGASU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    From February 3 to April 4, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering is once again implementing the educational initiative “TIM-elective of SPbGASU for SPO”. It is being held jointly with Association SRO “OsnovaProekt” with the support of the National Association of Surveyors and Designers (NOPRIZ) and the industry Consortium of Secondary Vocational Education in Construction. The TIM elective is part of the innovative educational project of SPbGASU “Innovative Methodology for Forming Digital Professional Competencies of Students and Specialists in the Construction Industry”, implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.

    The purpose of the elective is to develop design skills using information modeling technologies (IMT) among students majoring in construction.

    SPbGASU teachers and invited specialists conduct classes in such areas as architect, designer, heating and ventilation engineer, water supply and sanitation engineer, TIM coordinator, estimator. Training in each competency is implemented in the form of modular advanced training programs, within the framework of which teachers and students become familiar with working in specialized domestic software products (Renga, nanoCAD, Pilot-BIM, CADLib Model and Archive, SmetaWIZARD, BIM WIZARD).

    More than 750 people (including more than 140 teachers) from 31 colleges across Russia are taking part in the elective course.

    The elective will result in the qualifying TIM championships of SPbGASU in the SPO League, which each participating organization will hold on its own site according to the uniform regulations of the TIM championships of SPbGASU. Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills to solving a practical problem in a competitive format.

    After this, all participating organizations will have the opportunity to send one team to the All-Russian TIM Championship of SPbGASU, the final of which will be held at our university in person from April 22 to April 25, 2025, as part of VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Information Modeling in Construction and Architecture Problems” (BIMAC-2025).

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 15-27 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JUKX4 (DOM.RF30ob) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    15:27

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 15-27 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 104.61) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1108.31 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.13%) of the RU000A0JUKX4 security (DOM.RF30ob) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 15-28 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the MAGN (MMK) security were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    15:28

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 13.02.2025, 15-28 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 38.83) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 41,723 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 21.25%) of the MAGN (MMK) security were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 16-19 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the SU26246RMFS7 security (OFZ 26246) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    16:19

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 16-19 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 85.39) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 945.15 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 15.0%) of the security SU26246RMFS7 (OFZ 26246) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 16-23 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the SU26242RMFS6 security (OFZ 26242) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    16:23

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 16-23 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 81.42) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 888.09 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the SU26242RMFS6 security (OFZ 26242) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 17-09 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the SU26235RMFS0 security (OFZ 26235) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    17:09

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 17-09 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 65.33) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 709.9 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the SU26235RMFS0 security (OFZ 26235) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    FRESNO, Calif. — Dario Mata-Manzo, 33, a Mexican national residing in Fresno, was sentenced today to eight years and eight months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, in June 2022, Mata-Manzo negotiated the sale of crystal methamphetamine for $1,200 per pound and subsequently delivered 8 pounds of the drug to undercover officers in Fresno. Court documents indicate that Mata-Manzo was connected to an interstate poly-drug trafficking organization.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative (HIDTA), which consists of personnel from the California Department of Justice, Fresno Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spokane Bank Robber Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Spokane, Washington – On February 11, 2025, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Dustin T. Perrin, age 41, of Spokane, Washington, to 96 months in prison for several bank robberies. Judge Dimke also imposed 3 years of supervised release and restitution of $9,224.00.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on October 13, 2023, Perrin entered the First Interstate Bank brank at 57th Avenue and Regal in Spokane. Perrin was wearing a wig under his hat. Perrin handed a bank teller a bag and a handwritten note demanding the teller put cash in a bag. Perrin also warned the teller about activating the silent alarm. The teller handed Perrin $1,986 in cash, and Perrin left the bank on a bike and headed north.

    Perrin left the note at the bank. It was collected by law enforcement and sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory. DNA analysis later confirmed Perrin’s DNA on the note. 

    On November 17, 2023, Perrin rode his bike to the Numerica Credit Union branch on South Regal Street in Spokane, just a half mile from the bank Perrin robbed one month earlier. Perrin entered the bank, handed two bank tellers one bag each, and demanded the tellers put money in the bags. The tellers handed Perrin a total of $5,238 in cash. Perrin then left the bank on his bike. 

    Perrin went to a Wal-Mart store that night. A security camera recorded him spreading out a large amount of cash while making a purchase.

    On January 22, 2024, Perrin rode his bike to a Washington Trust Bank branch located at 27 E. Indiana Avenue in Spokane. Perrin entered the bank wearing a blond wig. Perrin handed the teller a small bag and told the teller to put money in the bag. Perrin also warned the teller he had a gun and “not to do anything stupid,” while he pointed at a lump in his jacket. The teller handed Perrin $2,000 in cash, and Perrin left the bank on his bike. 

    “For the people of Eastern Washington, their banks should be places of trust and security – not fear,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker. “Mr. Perrin’s repeated acts of intimidation and theft put innocent employees and community members at risk. As today’s sentence makes clear, violent crime will not be tolerated in Eastern Washington, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue working alongside our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and protect the safety if neighborhoods and communities in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington.”

    “Today we, together with our law enforcement partners, are holding Mr. Perrin responsible for stealing from three different federally insured financial institutions,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “We are grateful no one was hurt, but this kind of violent crime terrorizes our communities nonetheless and is completely unacceptable.”

    “Today’s successful prosecution of Mr. Perrin is a testament to the strong partnership of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and our commitment to keep our community safe,” stated Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels.     

    This case was investigated by the FBI Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich. 

    2:24-cr-00075-MKD

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Successful Conclusion of Agreement with Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office to Ensure Constitutional Policing

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The Justice Department announced on Monday the successful conclusion of the United States’ agreement with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) in Louisiana to end its pattern or practice of conducting arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After a thorough investigation, the United States found reasonable cause to believe that EPSO had unconstitutionally arrested and held people in jail without obtaining a warrant and without probable cause to believe the detained persons had committed a crime.

    Under the 2018 agreement, EPSO made specific reforms to address the constitutional violations. EPSO developed policies, provided training, and improved adequate supervision to deputies to end the pattern or practice of unlawful seizures. EPSO also increased transparency by collecting and reporting data on its Fourth Amendment activities. Because EPSO has demonstrated full compliance with the agreement, the agreement is now terminated and the United States’ investigation is closed. The United States appreciates and acknowledges the effort and industry that EPSO committed to improve policing practices in Evangeline Parish.

    The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of federally-protected rights. The Act also allows the Justice Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation.

    To read the original press release announcing the findings of the investigation, click here. To read the report of the investigation, click here. To read the original EPSO Settlement Agreement, click here. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: High-Ranking Member of Sinaloa Cartel Charged in Chicago with Drug Conspiracy

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico on a drug conspiracy charge for allegedly manufacturing and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs and importing them into the United States.

    According to an indictment returned Monday in the Northern District of Illinois, CEFERINO ESPINOZA ANGULO, 43, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Mexico, employed dozens of gunmen in Mexico to protect and support the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, including Ivan Guzman-Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman-Salazar, Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, and Joaquin Guzman-Lopez, collectively known as “the Chapitos.”  The indictment alleges that Espinoza Angulo worked with others to obtain fentanyl precursor chemicals and to manufacture fentanyl for importation into the United States.  Espinoza Angulo allegedly worked with others to transport the fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy toward the U.S. border for importation into the country.  The indictment accuses Espinoza Angulo of illegally using a machine gun in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime.

    The Chapitos are the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as “El Chapo,” who led the Sinaloa Cartel before being convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn, N.Y., and sentenced to life in prison.  The Chapitos allegedly assumed their father’s role as leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel.  The Chapitos have been charged with drug trafficking in other U.S. indictments.

    The indictment against Espinoza Angulo charges him with drug conspiracy and a firearm offense, which are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a minimum of 30 years.  Espinoza Angulo is believed to be residing in Mexico.  A U.S. warrant has been issued for his arrest.

    The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Antoinette T. Bacon, Supervisory Official of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Tara K. McGrath, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, and Chad Yarbrough, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.  Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations Field Offices in Arizona and Spokane, Wash.; DEA Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; FBI Field Offices in Washington, San Diego, and Los Angeles; and the Portland, Ore. Police Bureau, Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle J. Parthum and Andrew C. Erskine of the Northern District of Illinois, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sutton of the Southern District of California, and Trial Attorney Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section at the Justice Department.

    The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.

    “Our nation’s fentanyl crisis has devastated individuals and families in northern Illinois and throughout the country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual.  “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics before they can reach more victims.”

    “As alleged, the defendant conspired to traffic dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States — and employed dozens of gunmen to protect his drug trafficking operation and the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Supervisory Official Bacon.  “Stopping Mexican cartels from poisoning our communities with fentanyl and other narcotics is a top priority of this Administration.  Today’s indictment demonstrates that the Criminal Division is relentless in its pursuit of the drug traffickers who profit at the expense of the American people.”

    “From San Diego to Chicago to D.C., we are united to bring down the traffickers pushing these poisons into American communities,” said U.S. Attorney McGrath. “We are attacking at every level — from street dealers to cartel leaders.”

    “This indictment reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to hold accountable those who endanger our communities and traffic violence and drugs across our borders,” said Assistant Director Yarbrough.  “Let this serve as a clear message: if you engage in cartel activity, we will pursue you and bring you to justice.  Together with our law enforcement partners at every level, we remain fully committed to protecting the American people and stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs into our nation.”

    The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $23.5 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that the Eastern District of Missouri collected $23.5 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $11 million was collected in criminal actions and $12.5 million was collected in civil actions.  

    Additionally, the Eastern District of Missouri worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect $16.9 million in cases pursued jointly by these offices, the majority of which was collected in civil actions.          
         
    Among the civil settlements were two cases involving allegations of false claims for medical services. Total Access Urgent Care (TAUC) paid $9.1 million and a Festus pain management doctor, Dr. Nehal Modh paid $1.2 million.

    Nearly $1 million of the total collected in criminal actions came from a continuing case against two Jefferson County chiropractors who aided their clients in committing disability fraud. So far, 27 patients have pleaded guilty and been ordered to repay their fraudulently-obtained disability payments. The chiropractors are currently in prison, and have also been ordered to pay restitution.

    More than $880,000 was recovered in fiscal year 2024 from the garnishment of the retirement accounts belonging to two doctors who pleaded guilty in separate criminal cases. About $628,000 was recovered from Dr. Amy Swegan, who admitted accepting kickbacks from telemedicine companies involved in a nationwide fraud scheme. Nearly $255,000 was collected from Dr. Ashu Joshi, who distributed child pornography involving the daughter of a former patient.

    “These cases show that our Financial Litigation Unit will aggressively pursue restitution for victims and taxpayers, even if it takes years after a case is resolved,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming.

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

    Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5.6 million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Woman Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Funds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced in federal court in Boston for a scheme to fraudulently obtain pandemic-related relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

    Jameela Gross, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to time served (one day) to be followed by three years of supervised release. Gross has also been ordered to pay $18,750 in restitution. In September 2024, Gross pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Gross was arrested in February 2024 along with over 40 Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges and financial frauds, including COVID-related fraud.

    Among other relief programs, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act created the PPP, a temporary loan program directed at small businesses. PPP loans were processed and funded by participating lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the small business used the loan funds for permissible expenses, the loan could be forgiven.

    In April 2021, Gross submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of her purported photography business. The application contained multiple false statements, including false representations regarding the fictitious business’s income in 2020 and the purpose of the loan. Gross also submitted false tax records in support of her loan application. Based on the fraudulent application, Gross received approximately $18,750.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Lucy Sun of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fall River Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Benefits

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Fall River woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to stealing Social Security benefits intended for her child.    

    Nancy Taylor, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds. Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2025. Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.

    From May 2016 through May 2022, Taylor embezzled approximately $86,994.58 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her minor child. In August 2014, when Taylor applied to receive benefits on behalf of her child as a representative payee, the Social Security Administration (SSA) informed her of her obligation to notify SSA if her child left her custody.  However, Taylor did not notify SSA when she lost custody of her child in May 2016. Instead, Taylor called SSA in October 2021 to update contact information for the child so that she could continue receiving her child’s benefits. Further, in June 2022, Taylor visited an SSA field office to reactivate her receipt of her child’s benefits and provided two fraudulent forms claiming that her child still lived with her and that she spent all the Social Security benefits she received for her child’s care. In reality, Taylor used the vast majority of the stolen funds to pay her own bills.

    The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Takes Action to Protect Your Hard-Earned Money

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    As cryptocurrency investment fraud scams blanket the nation, causing unprecedented financial and psychological hardship to tens of thousands of Americans, the FBI is stepping up with a hands-on measure to protect the public.

    Operation Level Up is a proactive initiative to identify and notify victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud. Using sophisticated techniques, the FBI identifies victims who are actively being defrauded and promptly intervenes by contacting those victims.

    Since the start of Operation Level Up over a year ago, the FBI has notified more than 4,300 victims spanning all 50 states. Of these victims, 76 percent were not aware they were being scammed. Through these notification efforts, the FBI has saved victims more than $285 million.

    “The FBI is committed to protecting citizens from cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough. “Unfortunately, we continue to see these scams grow and evolve every day. It doesn’t matter where the subjects are—we will use every tool at our disposal to stop them from targeting U.S. citizens. By raising awareness, we can prevent countless people from losing their savings and send a clear message to criminals that these schemes will not be tolerated.”

    Cryptocurrency investment frauds are elaborate schemes that often involve unsolicited online contact, a long period of trust building, fake investment opportunities, and a false sense of urgency to send money, perpetrated by individuals typically located overseas who target victims in the United States.

    In Operation Level Up, specially trained FBI and U.S. Secret Service Agents are contacting victims directly to prevent further victimization and financial loss. Agents also explain how these crimes work and how to avoid them in the future, outline how to file a report with federal law enforcement, and provide access to mental health and other resources to assist with the impacts of these crimes.

    In numerous instances, victims told the FBI that the notification stopped them from liquidating their entire retirement accounts, selling their homes, or taking out costly loans to continue investing in fake cryptocurrency applications. Due to the profound emotional toll these scams can have, dozens of victims contacted through Operation Level Up were referred to the FBI Victim Services Division and provided direct support and lifesaving measures.

    The FBI also works through our legal attaché offices located around the world to collaborate with international law enforcement partners and share hundreds of foreign victims identified through Operation Level Up for intervention. Information about illicit applications, websites, and social media accounts are also collected from victims and shared with technology companies for their awareness.

    Below are some tips to help protect yourself from these scams:

    • Do not release any financial or personal identifying information and do not send any money to someone you met online.
    • Do not invest solely based on the advice of someone you met online.
    • Do not download or use any unfamiliar applications or click on any links sent to you by someone you met online.
    • Do not pay any additional fees or taxes to withdraw money you have invested in a potential scheme.
    • Do not pay for services that claim to be able to recover lost funds, as these are often scams as well.

    The FBI knows some individuals involved in criminal activity may try to discourage victims from heeding our warnings. It’s important to stay vigilant and cautious if someone advises you to disregard communications from the FBI or provides you with instructions on how to respond to the FBI.

    The FBI is launching this public awareness campaign to educate the public, so no one falls victim to these fast-evolving schemes. We also want the public to have information readily available in case they are contacted by the FBI.

    If an FBI agent contacts you via phone or email, the FBI will never ask for money, or ask to move communications to private messaging applications, or request bank account details or personal identifying information, other than confirming your identity with information already possessed. When they call or email, agents will provide you with methods you can use to confirm they are truly FBI agents. When in doubt, visit or call your local FBI field office for further clarification.

    If you think you may be a potential victim, you should stop sending money immediately and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

    For more information about Operation Level Up and what to look out for, please visit fbi.gov/levelup and fbi.gov/scams.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Level-Up: How the FBI Is Saving Victims from Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Protecting and preventing

    Prevention and education are the keys to stopping these scammers. We know that some victims are reluctant to trust unsolicited warnings when they are initially contacted by the FBI. When victims receive these calls, FBI agents will offer ways to confirm their identities. The FBI will never ask you for your personally identifying information, for money, or to move your assets to a new account.

    The FBI also knows some individuals involved in criminal activity may try to discourage victims from heeding our warnings. It’s important to stay vigilant and cautious if someone advises you to disregard communications from the FBI or provides you with instructions on how to respond to the FBI.

    Operation Level Up outreach also helps the FBI gather additional leads and information about the criminals perpetrating these frauds. In addition to warning and helping victims, the FBI is pursuing a multi-pronged investigative approach to address the financial, infrastructure, and organized crime components operating the schemes.

    The FBI will continue to work with domestic and international partners to identify, target, and disrupt criminal organizations facilitating these cryptocurrency confidence fraud schemes. In addition, the FBI shares illicit domains and accounts identified by Operation Level Up with the private sector so they can take any action they deem appropriate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Head of Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Pleads Guilty in $62.8M Investment Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of Vermont

    A New York man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Northern District of Georgia for his role in a scheme to defraud investors in connection with two commercial real estate investments.

    According to court documents, Elchonon “Elie” Schwartz, 46, of New York City, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who sought to invest in commercial real estate through the crowdfunding commercial real estate investing website CrowdStreet Marketplace (CrowdStreet). Beginning May 2022, Schwartz solicited investments through CrowdStreet for a large commercial real estate complex in Atlanta and ultimately raised approximately $54 million from about 654 investors. Beginning in November 2022, Schwartz solicited investments again through CrowdStreet in connection with a mixed-use building in Miami Beach, Florida, and ultimately raised approximately $8.8 million from about 167 investors. In total, Schwartz raised approximately $62.8 million from investors through CrowdStreet.

    As part of the investment solicitation process, Schwartz executed agreements that stated, in part, that the funds raised from CrowdStreet investors would be held in segregated bank accounts controlled by Schwartz. In the documentation provided to CrowdStreet investors, Schwartz represented that he would only use the investors’ money to fund the investment in each property and that he had a fiduciary duty to safeguard the funds and to prohibit commingling or use of the money that did not benefit each investment.

    Contrary to these representations, however, Schwartz misappropriated and converted the CrowdStreet investor funds for his own use. Schwartz directed substantially all the CrowdStreet investor money into his personal bank, personal brokerage account, and accounts for unrelated commercial real estate investments he controlled. For example, Schwartz used the CrowdStreet investor funds to purchase luxury watches, to invest in stocks and options in his brokerage account, and to pay for payroll expenses for his unrelated commercial real estate businesses. Ultimately, in mid-July 2023, the two corporate entities that Schwartz had formed to receive funds from CrowdStreet investors both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

    Schwartz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. for the Northern District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Connors for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys David O’Neal and Christopher Huber for the Northern District of Georgia provided substantial assistance with the investigation and prosecution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Texas Capital Recognized with Notable Industry Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCBI), the parent company of Texas Capital, begins the year with notable awards from Bankrate, GOBankingRates and Newsweek recognizing its excellence in financial services. These accolades highlight the firm’s commitment to providing clients with top-tier financial products and solutions, strengthening the company’s position as the premier full-service financial services firm headquartered in Texas.

    Key Highlights

    • Bankrate – Best Regional Bank (Two Years in a Row): For the second consecutive year, Texas Capital has been recognized by Bankrate as the Best Regional Bank, highlighting the firm’s success with its main deposit accounts and competitive APYs on its Star Money Market, High-Yield Savings Account and CD terms.
    • GOBankingRates – Best Money Market Accounts (Two Years in a Row): Also, for the second consecutive year, Texas Capital’s Money Market Accounts have earned top honors from GOBankingRates, acknowledged specifically for the firm’s low monthly fees and excellent APYs.
    • Newsweek – America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions: Texas Capital has been recognized among America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions by Newsweek for the first time, an acknowledgment of the company’s strong performance and positive customer reviews.

    “As an employer of choice, the heart of our platform is our people,” said Chairman-Elect, President & CEO Rob C. Holmes. “We are honored to serve the best clients in each of our markets, and we are proud to offer a wide range of differentiated products and services that compete against the very best banks. These awards are a testament to the accomplishments of our employees in the four years since we announced our strategy to become the premier full-service financial institution headquartered in Texas.”

    Award Methodology

    Bankrate: Bankrate evaluated the range of deposit products offered, along with fees, minimum balance requirements, availability of competitive APYs, extent of ATM network and key digital banking features. They assigned a score to each type of account and its features, weighted them based on importance to account holders, and combined them to derive an overall score.

    GOBankingRates: GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: total assets, number of branch locations, minimum deposit to open an account, APY, minimum balance needed to earn the APY, monthly fees and average mobile app ratings.

    Newsweek – America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions: Newsweek utilized the Texas Ratio (a measure of a bank’s credit quality) as well as reviewed profitability and net loans and leases, press coverage over the past two years, an elaborate large-scale independent customer survey of more than 71,000 U.S. citizens, 1.9 million social media reviews and 129 million Apple App store and Google Play store reviews.

    ABOUT TEXAS CAPITAL
    Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ®: TCBI), a member of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P MidCap 400®, is the parent company of Texas Capital Bank (“TCB”). Texas Capital is the collective brand name for TCB and its separate, non-bank affiliates and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Texas Capital is a full-service financial services firm that delivers customized solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs and individual customers. Founded in 1998, the institution is headquartered in Dallas with offices in Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Fort Worth, and has built a network of clients across the country. With the ability to service clients through their entire lifecycles, Texas Capital has established commercial banking, consumer banking, investment banking and wealth management capabilities. All services are subject to applicable laws, regulations, and service terms. Deposit and lending products and services are offered by TCB. For deposit products, member FDIC. For more information, please visit www.texascapital.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Humboldt — Humboldt RCMP: male arrested after assault with a machete

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On February 6, 2025 at approximately 11:35 p.m., Humboldt RCMP received a report of an assault in a business parking lot in Humboldt, SK.

    Officers responded along with local EMS. Investigation determined an adult male, who was armed with a machete, approached two other males in the parking lot. The two groups were not known to each other. During their interaction, one of the adult males was injured. The injured adult male was transported to hospital with injuries described as serious in nature. We do not have an update on his condition.

    As a result of investigation, on February 7, officers located the adult male suspect in a parked vehicle on a rural property near Humboldt, SK. Officers approached the vehicle and determined the adult male was armed with a hatchet. The male threatened self-harm, also threatening police. Officers deployed a conducted energy device and the male was arrested. The male was taken to hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

    48-year-old Dominic O’Rourke from Humboldt, SK is charged with:

    • one count, assault with a weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, assault on peace officer with a weapon, Section 270.01(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code.

    Dominic O’Rourke is scheduled to appear in court in Humboldt on March 3, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Head of Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Pleads Guilty in $62.8M Investment Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A New York man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Northern District of Georgia for his role in a scheme to defraud investors in connection with two commercial real estate investments.

    According to court documents, Elchonon “Elie” Schwartz, 46, of New York City, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who sought to invest in commercial real estate through the crowdfunding commercial real estate investing website CrowdStreet Marketplace (CrowdStreet). Beginning May 2022, Schwartz solicited investments through CrowdStreet for a large commercial real estate complex in Atlanta and ultimately raised approximately $54 million from about 654 investors. Beginning in November 2022, Schwartz solicited investments again through CrowdStreet in connection with a mixed-use building in Miami Beach, Florida, and ultimately raised approximately $8.8 million from about 167 investors. In total, Schwartz raised approximately $62.8 million from investors through CrowdStreet.

    As part of the investment solicitation process, Schwartz executed agreements that stated, in part, that the funds raised from CrowdStreet investors would be held in segregated bank accounts controlled by Schwartz. In the documentation provided to CrowdStreet investors, Schwartz represented that he would only use the investors’ money to fund the investment in each property and that he had a fiduciary duty to safeguard the funds and to prohibit commingling or use of the money that did not benefit each investment.

    Contrary to these representations, however, Schwartz misappropriated and converted the CrowdStreet investor funds for his own use. Schwartz directed substantially all the CrowdStreet investor money into his personal bank, personal brokerage account, and accounts for unrelated commercial real estate investments he controlled. For example, Schwartz used the CrowdStreet investor funds to purchase luxury watches, to invest in stocks and options in his brokerage account, and to pay for payroll expenses for his unrelated commercial real estate businesses. Ultimately, in mid-July 2023, the two corporate entities that Schwartz had formed to receive funds from CrowdStreet investors both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

    Schwartz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. for the Northern District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Connors for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys David O’Neal and Christopher Huber for the Northern District of Georgia provided substantial assistance with the investigation and prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University

    A London court has found Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan Police officer Stephen Lovell.

    As captain of the Australian women’s national soccer team, Kerr was widely condemned when news broke she had used a “racial slur” against an officer during an altercation.

    The high-profile incident sparked debate across the globe.

    Initially, former Australian soccer player Craig Foster criticised Kerr’s behaviour before retracting it and publicly apologising to her.

    Meanwhile, politicians and academics argued her comments did not amount to racism given the power dynamics at play: not only is Kerr of Indian descent, but official inquiries have found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.

    Historically, police have played a role in sustaining colonialism, racism and white supremacy. Calling Kerr’s words racist overlooks that they don’t accord with an entrenched, global system of power.

    What happened that night?

    Kerr has maintained she and her partner – United States’ women’s national team player Kristie Mewis – believed they were being kidnapped by a cab driver.

    He refused to let them out of the cab after Kerr vomited, taking them to Twickenham police station instead of their destination.

    There, Mewis broke the cab window in an attempt to get out of the vehicle.

    At the station, Kerr reportedly appealed to officers to “understand the emergency that both of us felt”, referencing the 2021 abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer.

    The commissioned inquiry into Everard’s murder characterised the Metropolitan Police as institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

    However, Kerr soon faced an allegation of racism after becoming distressed and antagonistic towards the officers.

    Believing they were siding with the cab driver after forming negative preconceptions because of her skin colour, she repeated “you guys are stupid and white, you guys are fucking stupid and white”.

    What are the legal ramifications in the UK?

    Kerr pleaded not guilty to the offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm, or distress to another by using threatening, abusive, or insulting words under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, and to the racial aggravation of the offence per the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

    She faced a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

    Kerr accepted she used the words “fucking stupid and white”. But it still had to be proven she intended and caused harassment, alarm, or distress to Lovell and that the offence was racially motivated.

    Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was not enough evidence to charge Kerr.

    But after receiving a request from the Metropolitan Police to review the case, and a new statement from Lovell about Kerr’s words making him feel “belittled” and “upset”, they authorised police to charge the athlete.

    A jury found her not guilty after a seven-day trial.

    Broadly speaking, public order offences criminalise words and behaviour that might breach the peace. Police have significant discretion to use these offences as tools to regulate people’s uses of public space.

    In Australia and the UK, police have been shown to use these powers in discriminatory ways.

    Kerr has conceded her behaviour was regrettable but the charge against her is difficult to align with the purpose of public order legislation.

    What does it mean for Kerr’s soccer career?

    It is unclear what this verdict means for Kerr’s career.

    Her English club, Chelsea, is anticipating she will return from a long-term knee injury soon.

    It is possible the club was kept in the loop about Kerr’s altercation with police from the beginning, as she reportedly threatened to involve its lawyers in the body-cam footage shown at trial.

    The club is yet to make a statement about the trial or verdict.

    Football Australia is in a different position though, having been blindsided by the news Kerr had been charged by police.

    The fact Kerr is the captain of the Matildas, and the sport’s highest-profile marketing asset, adds layers of complexity to Football Australia’s decision-making.

    CEO of Football Australia James Johnson declined to weigh in on Kerr’s captaincy until her trial concluded.

    It is possible the governing body will impose a sanction, with Kerr falling afoul of clause 2.14 of their national code of conduct and ethics after being charged with a criminal offence.

    Kerr could return to the pitch later this month, but has been left out of the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in the US because of her fitness.

    With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni no doubt hopes her recovery stays on track.

    Meanwhile, Kerr is yet to play under Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor. She could prove crucial as the club chases an elusive UEFA Women’s Champions League title, but faces competition for her spot.

    Megan McElhone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career – https://theconversation.com/sam-kerr-verdict-what-it-means-for-law-in-the-uk-and-the-star-athletes-soccer-career-249153

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Hinds County Sheriff Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Soliciting Bribes and Providing Ammunition to a Convicted Felon

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    Jackson, Miss. – Former Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for soliciting and accepting bribes and for knowingly providing ammunition to a convicted felon. Crisler was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. 

    Crisler, 55, was appointed as Sheriff of Hinds County in August 2021. The evidence at trial showed that shortly after becoming Sheriff, Crisler solicited and accepted $9,500 in cash bribes from a convicted felon over three months, from September through November of 2021.  In exchange for that money, Crisler agreed to provide favors through his position as Hinds County Sheriff.  These favors included sharing information concerning future criminal investigations involving the bribe payor, moving a jailed family member to a better place within the Hinds County Jail, and hiring the bribe payor to work at the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office. Crisler also gave ammunition to the bribe payor, knowing that the person was a convicted felon.

    On November 8, 2024, a federal jury found Crisler guilty on all counts, following a three-day trial in U.S. District Court in Jackson.

    It is against federal law for a public official to solicit or accept bribes, and it is also against federal law for anyone to provide firearm ammunition to a known convicted felon.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bert Carraway and Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FORT WAYNE – Yesterday, Hamed A. Martin, 42 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Martin was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, in July 2022, Martin distributed methamphetamine on several  occasions.  A search warrant executed at his residence in August 2022, resulted in the recovery of a firearm along with evidence of drug distribution.   

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.  Also assisting in the investigation were the Drug Enforcement Administration and the DEA’s North Central Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Crime down in Finsbury Park as police work with local authorities and the community

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A coalition of local authorities, police and partner organisations have worked together for over a year to significantly reduce violent crime, robbery and burglary in the Finsbury Park area.

    Love Finsbury Park was launched on 6 December 2023 as a partnership between the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, three local authorities and other organisations determined to work together and make the area safer.

    In the project’s first year, violent crime, robbery and burglary have significantly reduced in the Finsbury Park area, including:
    Business Burglary – reduction of 27%
    Residential Burglary – reduction of 24%
    Personal Robbery – reduction of 21%
    Violent Crime with Injury – reduction of 14%

    During the year, officers from the Met and British Transport Police made over 600 arrests as the number of police patrols in the area was significantly increased.

    Police officers have seized a significant number of weapons, stolen phones and drugs, as well as locating individuals in the area who were wanted on warrant for previous offences.

    Inspector Ross Hickman, one of the senior officers policing Finsbury Park, explained: “A policing framework called ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ is being used to deliver positive outcomes as part of Love Finsbury Park. The ‘Clear’ phase involves targeted arrests and crime disruption through partnership working. Accordingly, much of the Met’s focus has been on identifying and arresting those involved in organised crime, the vast majority relating to the supply of drugs.

    “Since December 2023, a total of 17 search warrants were executed at addresses in the Finsbury Park area in intelligence-led operations targeting organised crime. Further operations are being planned as we continue to work at pace in the ‘Clear’ phase of this ‘Clear Hold Build’ framework.

    “I am looking forward to moving on with the project, and into the next phases. ‘Hold’ means stabilising the area to stop offenders moving in to fill the void. The ‘Build’ phase is focused on community-driven action to address the causes of criminality and prevent it from happening again.

    “Our work with partners, including the London Boroughs of Hackney, Haringey and Islington, will become increasingly crucial. Joint action – like our recent success in securing funding to improve lighting under the bridge on Stroud Green Road – is central to the success of Love Finsbury Park.”

    Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “We’re already seeing positive results. Love Finsbury Park is building long-term improvements to community safety by driving out crime and tackling the issues that make residents feel unsafe.

    “Alongside the police interventions, we’ve been working with residents, local councillors, businesses and partners to understand and address these local concerns. During this first phase, we have increased our enforcement patrols and CCTV surveillance, and created campaigns calling out street-based harassment like catcalling. We’ll continue building on our progress as we move into the next phases focused on preventative actions.”

    Cllr Angelo Weekes, Executive Member for Community Safety at Islington Council said: “Islington has supported the police’s targeted operations and arrests as we take action to protect our residents and ensure their safety. We meet weekly with the police, sharing intelligence and CCTV footage and work together to engage with businesses, colleges and places of worship in Finsbury Park.

    “We commission a patrol service to detect, deter and disrupt anti-social behaviour in Finsbury Park station, Blackstock Road and certain estates. We know there is more work to be done and look forward to continuing to work together to make Finsbury Park safer and more welcoming for everyone.”

    Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ajda Ovat, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the success that the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ project is having in tackling serious and organised crime in the Finsbury Park area.

    “As the scheme progresses and moves from stage to stage, it remains fundamentally important that community groups, residents and stakeholders continue to engage with our police partners and council staff from Haringey, Hackney and Islington as part of a tri-borough approach.

    “That way, we can continue to create a far safer Finsbury Park for residents and visitors to experience and enjoy.”

    The first police operation tackling organised crime took place on the very first day of the project, in December 2023. 70 officers executed three search warrants on shops on Blackstock Road which were believed to be linked to criminal activity in which seven people were arrested.

    A recent co-ordinated police operation took place on 12 December 2024, and led to the recovery of 112,000 tablets of Pregabalin (a Class C drug), dozens of wraps of cocaine, £3,000 in cash and several Rolex watches. One man was arrested at an address in Sotheby Road and, acting quickly on evidence recovered there, a subsequent seven males were arrested nearby.

    Love Finsbury Park is a true partnership involving the community at every stage. Anyone with information about those involved in the supply of drugs, burglary or robbery in the Finsbury Park area is urged to speak with local officers, call police on 101, message @MetCC or share what you know anonymously with Crimestoppers.

    British Transport Police Chief Inspector Cheryl Ling, who oversees Finsbury Park, said: “I’m extremely pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve so far with the significant reduction in violent crime, but there is still plenty of work to do to keep those numbers down.

    “We will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police and our other policing and local partners to deter crime, and we are determined to make our communities and the railway network safer for everyone.”

    Inspector Hickman concluded: “My colleagues are focused on continuing to deliver results. I am pleased to see these much improved crime statistics, but I want to hear local people saying that they actually feel safer. That’s a real incentive for us to come to work every day to protect the public, deter or arrest those who want to profit from criminal activity and build on this successful first year.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: WhiteBIT Freezes Over $150M: How the Exchange is Fighting Crypto Crime

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WhiteBIT cryptocurrency exchange announced today that it has successfully secured over $150 million in at-risk cryptocurrency funds in 2024, further solidifying WhiteBIT’s role as a key partner in the fight against digital crime.

    According to the Chainalysis 2024 Crypto Crime Report, stolen crypto funds reached $2.2 billion globally, a 21.07% increase from the previous year. The number of hacking incidents rose from 282 in 2023 to 303 over the same period, reflecting an ongoing challenge for the industry in preventing and addressing security breaches.

    High-Profile Recoveries

    WhiteBIT’s efforts have been central to resolving several significant cases involving stolen crypto assets. As a result of these efforts, the company has safeguarded $4.8 million in stolen funds.

    The exchange successfully secured funds tied to XRP in an investigation involving Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen. In response to the Coinspaid breach, WhiteBIT froze significant amounts of cryptocurrency, helping to mitigate losses for the affected users. Additionally, the exchange acted swiftly during the TAO Holder case, identified by blockchain investigator ZachXBT, blocking a large sum of USDC and supporting law enforcement efforts in their recovery process.

    In April, cryptocurrency exchange Rain.com fell victim to a $16 million hack orchestrated by the North Korean hacking group Lazarus. Investigators collaborating with the FBI traced $760,000 in stolen SOL to WhiteBIT. In September, WhiteBIT had successfully returned the funds to the FBI pursuant to a Court Order, further aiding in the recovery process.

    Anti-Money Laundering Practices 

    WhiteBIT is dedicated to collaborating with law enforcement agencies globally to enhance security and protect users from fraudulent activities. The team places a strong emphasis on transparency and streamlined communication, ensuring that law enforcement can easily connect when needed.

    “Our approach goes beyond standard AML practices,” stated a representative from WhiteBIT’s Compliance department. “We leverage OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) to uncover suspicious activities meticulously, utilize custom-built monitoring systems to detect and halt fraudulent transactions, and conduct manual investigations to ensure detailed and accurate assessments of flagged cases.”

    Insights on Cybercrime in 2024

    According to experts from WhiteBIT’s Compliance Department, the most common types of incidents on the exchange are as follows:

    1. Hacking of wallets through technical means—such as phishing, viruses, keyloggers, and direct hacking—accounts for 40% of the incidents on the exchange;
    2. Social engineering scams: Another 40% is attributed to scams involving promises of easy investment returns, often disguised as legitimate opportunities. They typically involve sophisticated tactics, including fake websites and multiple individuals interacting with victims to build trust;
    3. Scrolling scams: 10% of victims are lured through crypto-related Telegram channels. Initially, they make small profits, which leads to repeated investments, but eventually, the scammers disappear with the funds;
    4. The remaining 10% of incidents involve fake versions of the WhiteBIT website and compromised accounts.

    WhiteBIT’s Compliance department representative explains: “Weak passwords and lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) significantly increase the risk of compromising the accounts. At WhiteBIT, we mitigate these risks by storing 96% of funds in cold wallets, enforcing 2FA, and securing private keys with advanced encryption protocols.”

    Security Standards

    WhiteBIT is ranked among the top 5 most secure crypto exchanges globally by CER.live and is the first crypto exchange to achieve the CCSS Level 3 certification—the highest security standard in the crypto industry at the moment. This distinction underscores the exchange’s proactive efforts to safeguard users and assets against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

    WhiteBIT remains at the forefront of crypto security, combining innovation, compliance, and swift action to tackle emerging threats. In a year marked by record-breaking crypto crime, WhiteBIT’s efforts have not only safeguarded millions but also set a benchmark for the entire industry.

    About WhiteBIT

    WhiteBIT is the second largest exchange globally by traffic, offering over 700 trading pairs, 330 assets, and supporting 9 fiat currencies. Founded in 2018, the platform is a part of WhiteBIT Group that serves more than 35 million customers worldwide. WhiteBIT collaborates with Visa, FACEIT, FC Barcelona, and the Ukrainian National Football team. WhiteBIT is among the five most secure crypto exchanges according to CER.live and is the first and only crypto exchange to achieve the CCSS Level 3 certification — the highest cryptocurrency security standard in the industry to date. The company is dedicated to driving the widespread adoption of blockchain technology worldwide.

    This material does not pertain solely to the company’s European transactions but applies to the activities of all WhiteBIT Group companies globally.

    Contact
    WhiteBIT
    pr@whitebit.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e47ba98c-787c-4782-97d1-09ac56e68207

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Kazakhstan: Authorities must drop politically motivated charges against satirical blogger  

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Ahead of the start of the trial in Kazakhstan of Temirlan Ensebek, a blogger who has been charged with “inciting interethnic discord” and faces up to seven years in jail for a year-old post on his Instagram page, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:  

    “This is not the first time that the Kazakh authorities have targeted Temirlan Ensebek for his free expression. 

    This politically motivated prosecution is part of a wider crackdown on civil society

    “This politically motivated prosecution, which relies on a vague and overly broad definition of ‘incitement’ within Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, is part of a wider crackdown on civil society.  

    “Free expression is not a crime and the authorities must end their misuse of the criminal justice system and the charge of ‘discord’ to suppress dissent and silence critical voices. These baseless charges must be dropped and Temirlan Ensebek should be immediately released from detention.” 

    Background  

    Temirlan Ensebek, manages the satirical Instagram account Qaznews24. He was arrested on 17 January and remanded in pretrial detention for two months. 

    He has been charged under article 174 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code on vague charges of “inciting interethnic discord”. 

    Ensebek’s post on the Qaznews24 Instagram account featured a Russian TV presenter, with a song conveying hostile feelings against Russians.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURTS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 13 FEB 2025 2:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts for expeditious disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases came to be introduced in October, 2019, following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court [Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019]. The Scheme has been extended twice, with the latest extension up to 31st March 2026, targeting the establishment of 790 courts. As per the inputs received from the High Courts, as on 31.12.2024, 747 FTSCs including 406 exclusive POCSO Courts (e-POCSO) are functional in 30 States/UTs. These courts have disposed of around 3,00,000 cases of Rape and POCSO Act as of 31.12.2024. Year-wise and State/UT-wise details of operational FTSCs over the past five years are provided in the Annexure.

    *****

    ANNEXURE

    Sl.

    No.

     Name of State/UT

    No. of FTSCs (up to Dec. 2020)

    No. of FTSCs

    (up to

    Dec. 2021)

    No. of FTSCs

    (up to

    Dec. 2022)

    No. of FTSCs (up to Dec. 2023)

    No. of FTSCs (Up to Dec.2024)

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    8

    10

    14

    16

    16

    2

    Assam

    7

    15

    17

    17

    17

    3

    Bihar

    45

    45

    45

    46

    46

    4

    Chandigarh

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    15

    15

    15

    15

    15

    6

    Delhi

    0

    16

    16

    16

    16

    7

    Goa

    0

    0

    1

    1

    1

    8

    Gujarat

    35

    35

    35

    35

    35

    9

    Haryana

    16

    16

    16

    16

    16

    10

    Himachal Pradesh

    3

    6

    6

    6

    6

    11

    J&K

    0

    4

    4

    4

    4

    12

    Jharkhand

    20

    22

    22

    22

    22

    13

    Karnataka

    14

    18

    30

    31

    30

    14

    Kerala

    23

    28

    52

    54

    55

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    66

    67

    67

    67

    67

    16

    Maharashtra

    25

    34

    39

    19

    6

    17

    Manipur

    0

    2

    2

    2

    2

    18

    Meghalaya

    0

    5

    5

    5

    5

    19

    Mizoram

    0

    3

    3

    3

    3

    20

    Nagaland

    0

    1

    1

    1

    1

    21

    Odisha

    15

    36

    44

    44

    44

    22

    Puducherry

    0

    0

    0

    1

    1

    23

    Punjab

    3

    12

    12

    12

    12

    24

    Rajasthan

    45

    45

    45

    45

    45

    25

    Tamil Nadu

    14

    14

    14

    14

    14

    26

    Telangana

    19

    25

    34

    36

    36

    27

    Tripura

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    28

    Uttar Pradesh

    218

    218

    218

    218

    218

    29

    Uttarakhand

    4

    4

    4

    4

    4

    30

    West Bengal

    0

    0

    0

    3

    6

     

    Total

    599

    700

    765

    757

    747

     

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Law & Justice and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

     Samrat/ Dheeraj /Allen: pibpiolaw[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2102677) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes to be held on February 19

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes to be held on February 19
    Tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes to be held on February 19
    ******************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (February 13) that a tender of 1-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes (Notes) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, for settlement on Thursday, February 20, 2025.           A total of HK$1.5 billion 1-year HKD Notes will be tendered. The Notes will mature on February 20, 2026 and will carry interest indexed to the Hong Kong Dollar Overnight Index Average (HONIA), payable quarterly in arrear.           Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Notes on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.            Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day.   HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds tender information——————————————————————-     Tender information of 1-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes: 

    Issue Number
    :
    01GH2602001

    Stock Code
    :
    4289 (HKGB FRN 2602)

    Tender Date and Time
    :
    Wednesday, February 19, 20259:30 am to 10:30 am

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    Thursday, February 20, 2025

    Amount on Offer
    :
    HK$1.5 billion

    Issue Price
    :
    At par

    Maturity
    :
    1 year

    Maturity Date
    :
    Friday, February 20, 2026

    Interest Rate
    :
    Indexed to the sum of the annualised compounded average of daily HONIA in each interest period and the highest accepted spread at tender, subject to a minimum of 0 per cent per interest period. Details on calculation of interest rate are available at the Institutional Issuances Tender Information Memorandum of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme (Information Memorandum) published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

    Interest Period End Dates
    :
    May 20, 2025August 20, 2025November 20, 2025February 20, 2026

    Interest Payment Dates
    :
    May 22, 2025August 22, 2025November 24, 2025February 24, 2026 

    Method of Tender
    :
    Competitive tender

    Tender Amount
    :
    Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Notes must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the latest published list.

    Other Details
    :
    Please see the Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website or approach Primary Dealers.

    Expected commencement date of dealing onthe Stock Exchangeof Hong Kong Limited
    :
    Friday, February 21, 2025

    Use of Proceeds
    :
    The Notes will be issued under the institutional part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be invested in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2025Issued at HKT 16:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender for re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on February 19

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender for re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on February 19
    Tender for re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on February 19
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (February 13) that a tender of 3-year HKD Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 3-year Government Bond issue 03GB2710001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, for settlement on Thursday, February 20, 2025.           An additional amount of HKD2.0 billion of the outstanding 3-year Bonds (issue no. 03GB2710001) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on October 25, 2027 and will carry interest at the rate of 2.89 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on February 13, 2025 are 98.71 with an annualised yield of 3.423 per cent.           Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HKD50,000 or integral multiples thereof.           Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day. HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information     Tender information of re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds: 

    Issue Number
    :
    03GB2710001

    Stock Code
    :
    4283 (HKGB 2.89 2710)

    Tender Date and Time
    :
    Wednesday, February 19, 20259.30 am to 10.30 am

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    Thursday, 20 February, 2025

    Amount on Offer
    :
    HKD2.0 billion

    Maturity
    :
    3 years

    Remaining maturity
    :
    Approximately 2.68 years

    Maturity Date
    :
    Monday, October 25, 2027

    Interest Rate
    :
    2.89 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrear

    Interest Payment Dates
    :
    April 24 and October 24 in each year, commencing on the Issue Date up to and including the Maturity Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Institutional Issuances Information Memorandum of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme (Information Memorandum) published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

    Method of Tender
    :
    Competitive tender

    Tender Amount
    :
    Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HKD50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the latest published list.The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (February 20, 2025) for the tender amount is 471.11 per minimum denomination of HKD50,000.(The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HKD50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HKD50,000 due to rounding). 

    Other Details
    :
    Please see the Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website or approach Primary Dealers.

    Expected commencement date of dealing onthe Stock Exchangeof Hong Kong Limited
    :
    The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 03GB2710001 (Stock code: 4283) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

    Use of Proceeds
    :
    The Bonds will be issued under the institutional part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be invested in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2025Issued at HKT 16:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 10:08 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the SU26244RMFS2 security (OFZ 26244) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    10:08

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 10-08 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 83.35) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 920.32 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the SU26244RMFS2 security (OFZ 26244) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 02/13/2025, 10:35 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0ZYJ91 (FSK RS B4) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    02/13/2025

    10:35

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 13.02.2025, 10-35 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 110.16) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1180.43 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A0ZYJ91 (FSK RS B4) were changed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –