NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, more than Rs. 25,000 crore worth of drugs were seized in 2024 as part of the Zero Tolerance policy against drugs

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, more than Rs. 25,000 crore worth of drugs were seized in 2024 as part of the Zero Tolerance policy against drugs

    Value of seized narcotics in 2024 is more than 55 per cent as compared to Rs 16,100 crore seized in 2023

    In 2024, the seized drugs included more harmful and addictive synthetic drugs, cocaine, and pharmaceutical drugs used as psychotropic substances, which are also of much higher value

    This success is a testament to the ‘Bottom to Top’ and ‘Top to Bottom’ approach adopted under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah

    The Modi government is moving forward with a Whole-of-Government Approach to create a drug-free India

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 7:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, while implementing zero-tolerance policy against drugs, in 2024, all law enforcement agencies across the country, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seized narcotics worth approximately ₹25,330 crore, which is more than 55% higher compared to the ₹16,100 crore worth of drugs seized in 2023. This success is a testament to the ‘Bottom to Top’ and ‘Top to Bottom’ approach adopted under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. The Modi government is moving forward with a Whole-of-Government Approach to create a drug-free India.

    In 2024, the seizure of more harmful and addictive synthetic drugs, cocaine, and pharmaceutical drugs used as psychotropic substances has increased significantly, which are also of much higher value.

    In 2024, the quantity of ATS (Amphetamine-Type Stimulants)like Methamphetamine has more than doubled from 34 quintals in 2023 to 80 quintals in 2024. Similarly quantity of cocaine seized has also gone up from 292 Kgs in 2023 to 1426 Kgs in 2024.The quantity of seized Mephedrone has also gone up from 688 kgs in 2023 in comparison to 3391 kgs in 2024. Likewise, quantity of Hashish seized has gone up from 34 Quintal in 2023 to 61 Quintal in 2024.The quantity of pharmaceutical drugs which are increasingly being abused as psychotropic substances has gone up from 1.84 crore to 4.69 crore in number (Tablets).

    Major operations conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in collaboration with various agencies in 2024:

    February 2024: NCB and Special Cell of Delhi Police busts an international drugs trafficking network with the arrest of three people and seizure of 50 kg narcotics-making chemical Pseudoephedrine. A joint team of NCB and Delhi Police busted the network acting on information provided by Australian and New Zealand authorities.

    February 2024: In a joint operation codenamed ‘Sagar Manthan-1’, carried out by NCB, Navy, and ATS Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of approximate 3300 kg of drugs (3110 Kg Charas/Hashish, 158.3 Kg crystalline powder Meth and 24.6 Kg Suspected Heroin) was seized in the Indian Ocean. It was a record in itself in terms of the amount of offshore seizure of Charas/Hashish on the beach in the country. Five suspected foreign nationals were detained in this case.

    March 2024: NCB arrested Jaffer Sadiq, the kingpin of the drug trafficking network busted by it in the month of February, 2024. Jaffer Sadiq was absconding and on the run since 15th February, 2024 when NCB seized 50.070 kg of Pseudoephedrine from the godown of a firm and arrested three accomplices of Jaffer Sadiq in this connection 

    April 2024: In a joint maritime operation by NCB, ATS of Gujarat Police and Indian Coast Guard, a foreign boat carrying 86 kgs (approx.) Heroin was seized and 14 Pakistani nationals were arrested. Drugs worth Approx. Rs.602 Crore were seized during the operation.

    October 2024:NCB conducted a search operation in a factory in Kasna Industrial Area of district Gautam Budh Nagar and found about 95 kg of Methamphetamine in solid and liquid forms. Chemicals like Acetone, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylene Chloride, Premium grade Ethanol, Toluene, Red phosphorus, Ethyl Acetate etc and imported machinery for manufacturing were also found.

    November 2024: In a major breakthrough against the drug trafficking syndicates operating in India and especially in Delhi NCR Region, the Narcotics Control Bureau recovered one of the biggest haul of Cocaine at Delhi. After working on the leads generated in these cases, and through technical and human intelligence, the NCB was finally able to reach at the source of the contraband and 82.53 Kg of high grade Cocaine was recovered from Janakpuri and Nangloi area of Delhi.

    November 2024: In a joint operation codenamed ‘Sagar Manthan-4’, the NCB, Indian Navy, and ATS Gujarat Police busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized approx. 700 kg of contraband Meth in Gujarat.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: On World Epilepsy Day, DEPwD organizes various programmes to raise Awareness on Epilepsy

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 7:00PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of World Epilepsy Day, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organized various awareness programmes across the country. The objective of these initiatives was to dispel myths surrounding epilepsy, promote effective management, and enhance awareness about available treatment options.

     

     

    The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) conducted a special awareness programme focusing on epilepsy management and treatment. Experts provided accurate information to individuals with epilepsy and their families, ensuring better access to care and medical support.

    The National Institute for Empowerment of Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) organized an online webinar where experts shared insights on epilepsy, its impact, and strategies for effective management.

    Additionally, the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) in Gorakhpur conducted an awareness programme on epilepsy and its management. Several other National and CRC Centres, including those in Nellore, Davangere, Jaipur, and Guwahati, also launched awareness campaigns. These programmes emphasized the rights of individuals with epilepsy, improving their quality of life, and promoting social inclusion.

     

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy, with 80% residing in low- and middle-income countries. Research suggests that with proper diagnosis and timely treatment, nearly 70% of epilepsy cases can be effectively managed, allowing individuals to lead seizure-free lives.

    Through these initiatives, DEPwD aims to eliminate misconceptions about epilepsy, foster empathy, and promote an inclusive society where individuals with epilepsy receive the necessary support and care.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing boy in Kwai Chung (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Police today (February 10) appealed to the public for information on a boy who went missing in Kwai Chung.

    Ma Kin-hei, aged 14, went missing after he was last seen at Kwai Chung Interchange yesterday (February 9) morning. His family made a report to Police.

    He is about 1.61 metres tall, around 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a pair of brown trousers and white sports shoes.

    Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing boy or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9415 4495, or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Air quality in Italy – E-000385/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000385/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Mario Furore (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE)

    The European Environment Agency estimates that, in 2022, air pollution from fine particulate matter caused 239 000 premature deaths in Europe, including 48 600 in Italy[1].

    Directive 2008/50/EC, which Italy transposed by means of Legislative Decree No 155/2010[2], lays down that the limit value of 50 μg/m³ of PM10 may not be exceeded more than 35 times a year[3]. However, many sampling points in Italy recorded a much higher number of exceedances of PM10 limits than that[4]. Those breaches come after the Court of Justice of the European Union, in its judgments of 10 November 2020 in case C-644/18[5] and of 12 May 2022 in case C-573/19[6], had already established that Italy had violated Directive 2008/50/EC by exceeding the PM10 and nitrogen dioxide limit values and had taken action in that regard.

    In view of the above, what further steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Italy keeps to the limits established in Directive 2008/50/EC?

    Submitted: 28.1.2025

    • [1] EEA, Europe’s air quality status 2024, https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/europes-air-quality-status-2024.
    • [2] Legislative Decree of 13 August 2010, No 155, https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2010-08-13;155.
    • [3] Annex XI, point B, Directive 2008/50/EC, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02008L0050-20150918
    • [4] For example, Lazio’s regional environmental protection agency, ARPA Lazio recorded 68 exceedances at the Frosinone Scalo monitoring point, 54 in Cassino and 77 in Ceccano. ARPA Lazio, weekly bulletins: https://www.arpalazio.net/main/aria/sci/basedati/bollettini/bs.php?year=2024.
    • [5] Judgment of the Court of 10 November 2020 – European Commission v Italian Republic (Case C-644/18), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62018CJ0644.
    • [6] Judgment of the Court of 12 May 2022 – European Commission v Italian Republic (Case C-573/19), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62019CA0573.
    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Woman charged in relation to fatal vehicle incident in Napier

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attribute to Detective Sergeant Stacey Bailey-Tran:

    Police have arrested and charged a 23-year-old woman in relation to a fatal vehicle incident on Nuffield Avenue, Marewa on 27 December 2024.

    The woman was arrested in Hastings yesterday afternoon.

    She is due to appear in the Napier District Court on 20 February, charged with excess breath alcohol and reckless driving causing death.

    Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MacPhersons Mills — Pictou County District RCMP charge New Brunswick man with attempted murder

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Pictou County District RCMP has charged a Miramichi, New Brunswick, man with a number of offences, including attempted murder.

    On February 4, at approximately 12:50 p.m., RCMP officers received information from a caller in New Brunswick that a person was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a stolen GMC Sierra from New Brunswick, in the Thorburn area. Officers immediately patrolled the community but didn’t locate a victim or a GMC.

    About an hour later, at approximately 2 p.m., Pictou County District RCMP received a call that a man had been hit by a vehicle somewhere in MacPhersons Mills, on an unknown dead-end road. Officers quickly searched dead-end roads in MacPhersons Mills and located an abandoned stolen GMC and an injured man on the roadway.

    After speaking to the man, who had suffered non-life-threatening injuries, investigators learned that he had observed someone taking his Chevrolet Silverado from his driveway. When he went outside to follow the truck’s tire tracks in the snow, he was struck twice by his stolen Silverado before the driver fled.

    Information gathered during the investigation indicated that the Chevrolet was heading towards Miramichi, New Brunswick.

    On February 5, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Miramichi Police Force located the truck and arrested the driver, 35-year-old Colin Joseph Williams. He’s been charged with:

    • Attempted Murder
    • Aggravated Assault
    • Break and Enter
    • Theft of a Motor Vehicle
    • Possession of Stolen Property
    • Driving while Prohibited
    • Failure to Comply with Court Order

    Williams was returned to Nova Scotia and has been remanded into custody. He’s due to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on February 10.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury convicts 2 defendants who were charged with 23 other Ohioans in narcotics distribution ring

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    One defendant also convicted of sex-trafficking victims through use of drug withdrawals, violence

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted two local men for their roles in a narcotics distribution ring involving bulk amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine & other narcotics. As part of this case, the government has seized more than $1.7 million, 50 firearms, and nine vehicles, including a motorcycle. One of the defendants convicted at trial also sex-trafficked at least three adult victims.

    The jury found David Price, 56, of Columbus, guilty on all counts, and Tavaryyuan Johnson, 25, of Columbus, guilty on drug trafficking counts.

    The verdict was announced on Feb. 5 following a trial that began on January 13, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

    A multi-agency law enforcement task force initially announced the case in July 2022 after a federal grand jury initially indicted 11 defendants for distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in central Ohio within 1,000 feet of a Columbus elementary school.

    A superseding indictment returned in October 2022 charged additional co-conspirators with distributing those same drugs in addition to methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone.

    Price, who is also known as “DP,” was charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024 with 11 drug, firearm and sex trafficking crimes. He faces a minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison.

    Johnson is also known as “Gucci” and “TJ,” and was also charged in a third superseding indictment in December 2024. He was convicted of four drug offenses, including using a family residence in Columbus as his stash house for bulk amounts of narcotics. Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

    According to court documents and trial testimony, the two men were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of “crack” cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as marijuana, oxycodone and alprazolam. The drug trafficking organization operated from January 2008 until it was dismantled by law enforcement in 2022.

    Drug offenses took place at residences on Burgess and Harris avenues, which are within 1,000 feet of Burroughs Elementary School.

    In July 2021, Price distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine that resulted in the overdose death of an adult female.  The testimony at trial indicated he purposefully killed her to get rid of her as she was talking to the police about his drug business.

    The government also proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Price conspired to commit sex trafficking. From 2016 until 2022, Price and other members of the conspiracy would force and/or coerce adult female drug addicts into performing commercial sex acts by providing, withholding, or threatening to withhold controlled substances and lodging. Law enforcement’s investigation showed that various women engaged in a “rinse and repeat” cycle where they would be allowed to stay at a drug residence associated with Price, receive a front of drugs so they were not in active drug withdrawal, go to Sullivant Avenue, have sex for money, pay the debt from the front drugs, and then be allowed to remain at the house.

    Price was also found guilty of three counts of sex trafficking related to his violence and coercion towards three adult females.  The testimony at trial indicated that he would lock the females inside his residence for days or weeks at a time and refuse to let them leave, forcing them to engage in sex acts.  One victim was locked in a dog cage, shot and stabbed by Price. Another was restrained.  A third was beaten and choked and left with a black eye. Price would refuse to provide them drugs unless or until they engaged in the sex acts, forcing them into withdrawal if they did not comply.

    U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commended the investigation coordinated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission task force, which includes Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other agencies that have assisted the task force with the investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, HIDTA Task Force, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Pickerington Police Department, New Albany Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Prichard and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

    This case 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 OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney

    For a long time, it seemed refugee law had little relevance to people fleeing the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    Nearly 30 years ago, the High Court of Australia, for instance, remarked that people fleeing a “natural disaster” or “natural catastrophes” could not be refugees.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Canada had said “victims of natural disasters” couldn’t be refugees “even when the home state is unable to provide assistance”.

    It was back in 2007 that I first started considering whether international refugee law could apply to people escaping the impacts of drought, floods or sea-level rise. At the time, I also thought refugee law had limited application. For a start, most people seeking to escape natural hazards move within their own country and don’t cross an international border. That fact alone makes refugee law inapplicable.

    Refugee law defines a refugee as someone with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.

    So one challenge was in classifying supposedly “natural” events as “persecution”, which requires an identifiable human actor.

    It was also widely thought such events were indiscriminate and couldn’t target people on account of their race, religion or one of the other five grounds. This is partly why some advocates called for an overhaul of the Refugee Convention to protect so-called “climate refugees”.

    However, we have learned a lot in the intervening years.

    A new approach

    It’s become clear the impacts of climate change and disasters interact with other social, economic and political drivers of displacement to create risks for people.

    This is what some legal experts have called the “hazard-scape”.

    And the impacts of climate change and disasters are not indiscriminate – they affect people in different ways. Factors such as age, gender, disability and health can intersect to create particular risk of persecution for particular individuals or communities.

    For example, a person who is a member of a minority may find their government is withholding disaster relief from them. Or, climate or disaster impacts may end up exacerbating inter-communal conflicts, putting certain people at heightened risk of persecution.

    Now, we have a much more nuanced understanding of things. Refugee law (and complementary protection under human rights law) do have a role to play in assessing the claims of people affected by climate change.

    No such thing as a ‘climate refugee’ under the law

    There isn’t a legal category of “climate refugee” – a popular label that has caused confusion. However, there are certainly people facing heightened risks because of the impacts of climate change or disasters. These impacts can generate or exacerbate a risk of persecution or other serious harm.

    This means that when it comes to the law, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

    Instead, by applying existing legal principles and approaches, it’s clear some people impacted by climate change already qualify for refugee status or complementary protection (under human rights law).

    One instructive case, heard in New Zealand, involved a deaf and mute man from Tuvalu who was seeking to avoid deportation on humanitarian grounds. He was found to be at heightened risk if a disaster struck because he could not hear evacuation or other warnings. He also didn’t have anyone who could sign for him or ensure his safety.

    In another case, an older couple from Eritrea were found to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of “their elderly status and lack of family support”, in circumstances where they would be exposed to “conditions of abject poverty, underdevelopment and likely displacement”. This, in addition to other conditions in Eritrea, meant that there was “a real chance they would suffer cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by way of starvation and destitution”. They were granted complementary protection.

    A practical way forward

    New Zealand has led the way on showing how existing international refugee and human rights law can provide protection in the context of climate change and disasters. It’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.

    With colleagues from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, I’ve helped create a practical toolkit on international protection for people displaced across borders in the context of climate change and disasters.

    This is a detailed resource for legal practitioners and decision-makers tasked with assessing international protection claims involving the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    It shows when, why and how existing law can apply to claims where climate change or disasters play a role.

    Inaccurate but popular labels aren’t helpful

    Inaccurate but popular labels – such as “climate refugee” – have caused confusion and arguably hampered a consistent, principled approach.

    Some judges and decision-makers assessing refugee claims may be spooked by “climate change”. They may think they need specialist scientific expertise to grapple with it.

    The new toolkit shows why international protection claims arising in the context of climate change and disasters should be assessed in the same way as all other international protection claims. That is, by applying conventional legal principles and considering the facts of each case.

    The toolkit stresses that it’s important to assess the impacts of climate change and disasters within a broader social context.

    That includes examining underlying systemic issues of discrimination or inequity that may impact on how particular people experience harm.

    The toolkit also shows why a cumulative assessment of risk is necessary, especially since risks may emerge over time, rather than as the result of a single, extreme event.

    And it emphasises the need to look at the “hazard-scape” as a whole in assessing the future risk of harm to a person.

    We hope the toolkit helps to debunk some common misunderstandings and charts a clear way forward. Our ultimate ambition is that people seeking international protection in the context of climate change and disasters will have their claims assessed in a consistent, fair and principled way.

    Jane McAdam receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a member of the expert sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. She thanks the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for its generous support of this project and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its endorsement.

    – ref. Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims? – https://theconversation.com/climate-impacts-are-forcing-people-from-their-homes-when-how-and-why-do-they-have-valid-refugee-claims-248865

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Conflict of interest management rules for NPFs

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Non-state pension funds (NPF) will be required to identify and manage conflicts of interest. Funds will be able to allow a conflict to arise only if they have notified their clients about it and their rights are not violated. The corresponding Bank of Russia instructionregistered by the Ministry of Justice of Russia.

    The document defines the rules for identifying conflicts of interest and describes specific situations that may lead to this, for example, if an NPF acquires securities of an affiliated company or makes a transaction with an associated person. Funds will have to keep mandatory records of information on conflicts of interest.

    The requirements imposed on NPFs are similar to the approaches to regulating conflicts of interest of professional participants and management companies and are aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of fund clients.

    The directive comes into force on February 21, 2025.

    Preview photo: Thomas Bethge / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    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: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23360

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey CPA Sentenced in Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme

    Source: US State of California

    A New Jersey accountant was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Ralph Anderson was a CPA and return preparer working for accounting firms in New Jersey and New York. From approximately 2013 to 2019, Anderson promoted and sold tax deductions to his high-income clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters created by convicted co-conspirators Jack Fisher and James Sinnott.

    Anderson knew that, contrary to law, the transactions related to these illegal tax shelters lacked economic substance and that his high-income clients purchased units at his recommendation only to obtain a tax deduction on their tax returns. The charitable deductions purchased by clients were derived from the donation of land with a conservation easement or the land itself to a charity, and the deductions were based on fraudulently inflated appraisals for the donated land. Anderson and the promoters promised the clients a so-called ratio of “4.5 to 1” in charitable deductions for every dollar paid into the tax shelter.

    In some instances, to make it appear that his clients had joined the partnerships before the date of the conservation easement donation — which was necessary to claim the tax benefits — Anderson and his co-conspirators also instructed and caused clients to falsely backdate documents, including subscription agreements and checks related to the partnerships. Each year from 2013 to 2019, Anderson and his co-conspirators assisted clients with claiming these false deductions on their tax returns.

    In total, Anderson assisted in preparing tax returns for clients that claimed over $9.3 million in false charitable deductions based on backdated documents, which caused a tax loss to the United States of nearly $3 million.

    Between approximately 2016 and 2019, Anderson earned over $300,000 in commissions for promoting and selling the illegal tax shelters to his clients. Anderson also claimed false tax deductions for charitable contributions generated from the syndicated conservation easement tax shelters he received as “free units” on his own returns and fraudulently reduced his own taxes on the income he earned from the scheme.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp for the District of New Jersey ordered Anderson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $3,543,005.53 in total restitution to the IRS and Small Business Administration.

    After being convicted on all counts after a trial in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Anderson’s co-conspirators, Jack Fisher and James Sinnott, were sentenced to 25 and 23 years in prison, respectively. Nine additional defendants pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme. These other defendants include appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts and Certified Public Accountants Stein Agee, Corey Agee, James Benkoil, Victor Smith, Herbert Lewis and William Tomasello. In addition, attorneys Randall Lenz and Vi Bui pleaded guilty to their roles in this scheme. The fraudulent syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme created and promoted by Fisher and Sinnott resulted in over $1.3 billion in fraudulent tax deductions and caused over $400 million in total tax loss to the IRS.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

    IRS-CI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

    Senior Litigation Counsel Richard M. Rolwing and Trial Attorneys Parker Tobin and Jessica Kraft of the Tax Division prosecuted the case with assistance from former Tax Division Trial Attorney Nicholas Schilling and support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey CPA Sentenced in Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A New Jersey accountant was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Ralph Anderson was a CPA and return preparer working for accounting firms in New Jersey and New York. From approximately 2013 to 2019, Anderson promoted and sold tax deductions to his high-income clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters created by convicted co-conspirators Jack Fisher and James Sinnott.

    Anderson knew that, contrary to law, the transactions related to these illegal tax shelters lacked economic substance and that his high-income clients purchased units at his recommendation only to obtain a tax deduction on their tax returns. The charitable deductions purchased by clients were derived from the donation of land with a conservation easement or the land itself to a charity, and the deductions were based on fraudulently inflated appraisals for the donated land. Anderson and the promoters promised the clients a so-called ratio of “4.5 to 1” in charitable deductions for every dollar paid into the tax shelter.

    In some instances, to make it appear that his clients had joined the partnerships before the date of the conservation easement donation — which was necessary to claim the tax benefits — Anderson and his co-conspirators also instructed and caused clients to falsely backdate documents, including subscription agreements and checks related to the partnerships. Each year from 2013 to 2019, Anderson and his co-conspirators assisted clients with claiming these false deductions on their tax returns.

    In total, Anderson assisted in preparing tax returns for clients that claimed over $9.3 million in false charitable deductions based on backdated documents, which caused a tax loss to the United States of nearly $3 million.

    Between approximately 2016 and 2019, Anderson earned over $300,000 in commissions for promoting and selling the illegal tax shelters to his clients. Anderson also claimed false tax deductions for charitable contributions generated from the syndicated conservation easement tax shelters he received as “free units” on his own returns and fraudulently reduced his own taxes on the income he earned from the scheme.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp for the District of New Jersey ordered Anderson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $3,543,005.53 in total restitution to the IRS and Small Business Administration.

    After being convicted on all counts after a trial in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Anderson’s co-conspirators, Jack Fisher and James Sinnott, were sentenced to 25 and 23 years in prison, respectively. Nine additional defendants pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme. These other defendants include appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts and Certified Public Accountants Stein Agee, Corey Agee, James Benkoil, Victor Smith, Herbert Lewis and William Tomasello. In addition, attorneys Randall Lenz and Vi Bui pleaded guilty to their roles in this scheme. The fraudulent syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme created and promoted by Fisher and Sinnott resulted in over $1.3 billion in fraudulent tax deductions and caused over $400 million in total tax loss to the IRS.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

    IRS-CI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

    Senior Litigation Counsel Richard M. Rolwing and Trial Attorneys Parker Tobin and Jessica Kraft of the Tax Division prosecuted the case with assistance from former Tax Division Trial Attorney Nicholas Schilling and support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Florida Car Dealer Turned Carjacker Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A federal judge has sentenced 59-year-old Erik Hadad to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release after a federal jury convicted him of carjacking a customer of the car dealership that Hadad operated with his sons.

    In October 2023, Hadad’s car dealership, Guru Auto Sales, sold a salvaged 2020 Honda Accord to a 24-year-old Haitian legal immigrant (the victim). The sale terms bound the victim to pay $30,000 over five years at annual 24.22% interest rate. When Guru Auto closed the deal, it sold the loan to a finance company for a lump sum payment of about $13,800. The sale, however, allowed the finance company to claw back its lump sum to Guru Auto if the car buyer was late on either of his first two payments.

    When the victim was late on payment one, the finance company enforced the claw-back provision, demanding that Guru Auto return roughly $13,000. The finance company also informed Guru Auto that it had no legal right to the 2020 Honda Accord and could not demand payment from the buyer or repossess the vehicle until Guru Auto paid the money back. 

    On Dec. 19, 2023, five days after Guru Auto received the finance company’s clawback demand and after the victim had caught up on his payments, Hadad staked out the victim’s home. When the victim left his home, he entered his 2020 Honda and began driving to Miami International Airport, where he works as a baggage loader and bathroom cleaner. Hadad followed the victim in a BMW, tailgating him down the highway. When the two cars exited the highway and reached a red light, Hadad got out of the BMW, approached the Honda, ripped off the car’s temporary paper tag, and yelled at the victim to get out of the car. The victim drove away; Hadad jumped back inside the BMW and followed. When they reached a train station, Hadad completed the carjacking: Hadad again approached the victim and demanded that he surrender the key to his Honda. This time, Hadad lifted his shirt and flashed a loaded Smith & Wesson pistol holstered in his waistband. The victim turned over his keys and later called police. Officers arrested the armed Hadad on-scene.

    United States District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the sentence.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division made the announcement.

    ATF Miami investigated the case with assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Brianna Coakley prosecuted it.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, 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.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20220.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement on the Sacramento County Superior Court’s Ruling to Enforce the Attorney General’s Investigative Subpoena against the Plastics Industry Association

    Source: US State of California

    Friday, February 7, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement regarding the Sacramento County Superior Court’s ruling to enforce the California Department of Justice’s investigative subpoena issued to the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS): 

    “In California and across the globe, plastics are everywhere. Plastic pollution is seeping into our waterways, poisoning our environment, and wreaking havoc on our health. The plastics industry has knowingly engaged in an aggressive, decades-long campaign to deceive the public, perpetuating a myth that recycling can solve the plastics crisis. We are pleased with the Court’s decision to grant our petition to enforce our investigative subpoena against PLASTICS. We are looking forward to vigorously pursuing our investigation.” 

    BACKGROUND

    In 2022, the California Department of Justice issued an investigative subpoena to PLASTICS as part of Attorney General Bonta’s first-of-its-kind investigation into fossil fuel and petrochemical industries for their role in causing the plastic waste and pollution crisis, which has significantly harmed California, its people and its communities. The subpoena seeks specific documents regarding the feasibility of recycling and the evolution of the organization’s campaign surrounding the recyclability of plastic. These documents were housed at the Hagley Library in Delaware, and were generally available to the public for research for decades. The documents sought by the state include historical documents that may shed light on the extent of the plastics industries’ knowledge about harms associated with plastics, including the staggering waste issue California is forced to manage. 

     

    On May 28, 2024, Attorney General Bonta filed a petition in Sacramento County Superior Court to enforce our subpoena to PLASTICS. In its decision, the court rejected PLASTICS’ argument that documents covered by the subpoena are protected by the First Amendment, as PLASTICS previously made them available for public research access in the Hagley Library. Per the Court’s order, PLASTICS must comply with the subpoena in its entirety by April 25, 2025. 

    A copy of the petition can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Lake Tahoe Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison for Impersonating Federal Officers

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

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Anton Andreyevich Iagounov, 38, of South Lake Tahoe, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to two years and three months in prison for four counts of impersonating a federal officer, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, and evidence presented at a three-day trial in July 2024, Iagounov pretended to be a federal law enforcement agent by creating and sending counterfeit investigative documents, which he signed in the name of a fictional federal agent, seeking highly protected information from the Department of Defense.

    “The defendant impersonated federal officers and tried multiple times to obtain protected information using fake court documents,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beckwith. “Many federal agencies including NASA have devoted law enforcement officers, and we will not tolerate federal officers being illegally impersonated.”

    “Mr. Iagounov’s attempt to undermine public trust in order to obtain sensitive government information posed a significant risk, potentially endangering national security and the integrity of NASA and government operations,” said Michael Graham, Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. “This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of NASA OIG, the USAO, and our law enforcement partners to safeguarding Federal assets and holding accountable those who undermine justice.”

    “The defendant impersonated a federal law enforcement officer and took advantage of the trust that exists between federal agencies,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy N. Schwartz of the FBI Las Vegas Division. “All officers carry badges and credentials that are used to verify their identity. If you believe someone is impersonating an officer, you may ask their agency to confirm their official business. This sentencing demonstrates the excellent work achievable through partnerships.”

    On July 5, 2022, Iagounov sent a search warrant he had created to the U.S. Capitol Police, falsely claiming it was signed by a Special Agent of NASA Office of Inspector General (NASA‑OIG) and appearing to be authorized by a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia. The Capitol Police investigated the document, determined it was fake, and referred it to NASA-OIG for further investigation.

    On July 11, 2022, Iagounov again pretended to be the same fictional NASA-OIG agent and sent the warrant to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This time, he sent it without a judge’s signature, indicating it was for an “emergency filing” and required a judge’s signature. He sent it from an email address designed to look like it was from a United States government agency, but which Iagounov owned and had named to look like a government agency’s internet domain.

    On July 18, 2022, Iagounov again sent the fake search warrant, purporting to be signed by the same fictitious NASA-OIG agent. He sent it to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia, again indicating that it was for an emergency filing and needed a judge’s signature immediately.

    Finally, on July 24, 2022, Iagounov faxed a letter, under the name of a real NASA-OIG supervising agent, to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. In that letter, he claimed to be following up on the warrant, stating that an “exigent circumstance” required a judge’s signature immediately. The faxed letter included an anonymous email address for the agent that actually belonged to Iagounov. Several days earlier, on July 15, Iagounov had sent his warrant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida but had received no response.

    In each case, given the apparently sensitive nature of the materials Iagounov’s warrant sought, the receiving personnel for the Courts referred the matter to NASA-OIG for review and investigation.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and NASA Office of Inspector General, with assistance by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Conolly and Audrey Hemesath prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council hears of persistent and evolving Da’esh threat

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    The terrorist group Da’esh, also known as ISIL, remains a serious global security threat despite years of sustained efforts to dismantle its operations, UN counter-terrorism officials warned during a Security Council meeting on Monday. 

    The discussion focused on the 20th biannual report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security.

    “Terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to global peace and security, one that no State can confront in isolation,” said Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. 

    “Da’esh remains agile, taking advantage of ongoing conflicts and regions experiencing growing instability,” emphasised Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). 

    This comes amid shifting global counter-terrorism efforts, including the conclusion of the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh (UNITAD) mandate, which leaves behind a significant judicial support legacy for future accountability processes. 

    Ongoing threats in Syria 

    The volatile situation in the Syrian Arab Republic is concerning, “especially as there is a risk that stockpiles of advanced weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists,” explained Mr. Voronkov.

    The risk is particularly high in the Syrian Badia region, the central hub for Da’esh’s external operational planning. 

    Meanwhile, over 40,000 people – including women and children – are stuck in overcrowded camps in northeastern Syria due to the ongoing instability. Many face extreme shortages of clean water, medical care and sanitation. 

    The Under-Secretary-General stressed the need for urgent action, noting that repatriation efforts have slowed dramatically: “Only five Member States reportedly repatriated more than 760 individuals from Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic,” he noted.  

    Sub-Saharan Africa: A new frontline 

    “In sub-Saharan Africa, Da’esh and its affiliates continue to increase their operations and expand territorial control,” said Mr. Voronkov.

    Terrorist groups like Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) have been carrying out deadly attacks on civilians and security forces. 

    “In the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, Da’esh’s decentralised operations continue to proliferate as regional cooperation declines,” Ms. Gherman warned. 

    UN assessments in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania and Tanzania found that while some progress has been made, gaps in border security, counter-financing of terrorism and regional cooperation remain critical challenges. 

    Officials in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have specifically called for enhanced UN support to prevent the further expansion of terrorist threats southward.

    Growing online radicalisation

    Da’esh continues to recruit and inspire attacks through online propaganda. One of its most dangerous branches, ISIL-K, has been plotting attacks beyond Afghanistan. 

    “ISIL-K supporters plotted attacks in Europe and were actively seeking to recruit individuals from Central Asian States,” noted Ms. Gherman.

    French authorities recently arrested an 18-year-old plotting an attack in July 2024.

    Meanwhile, the 1 January terrorist attack in New Orleans in the United States, where an individual claimed to have been inspired by ISIL, has raised additional concerns about the group’s expanding influence through digital propaganda and online radicalisation.

    Fighting terrorist financing

    In response to the evolving financing methods of terrorist groups, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) recently adopted the Algeria Guiding Principles, which aim to prevent, detect and disrupt the use of new and emerging financial technologies for terrorist purposes.

    CTED has also strengthened cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), contributing to a landmark case in Mozambique, where the first successful prosecution of a terrorism-financing case was recently achieved.

    “Multilateral cooperation remains essential” 

    Mr. Voronkov emphasised the need for a coordinated, multilateral approach to counter Da’esh’s evolving strategies. 

    “Despite steady counter-terrorism efforts by Member States, international and regional partners, Da’esh continues to demonstrate resilience and adapt its modus operandi,” he told the Council. “The group’s ability to exploit instability highlights the need for sustained international collaboration.”

    Ms. Gherman echoed this sentiment, urging countries to adopt long-term strategies that respect human rights and the rule of law.

    “CTED, working alongside Member States and other United Nations entities, remains committed to ensuring that our actions are responsive to emerging challenges,” she concluded. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ‘Dating or Defrauding?’ a Joint Effort to Alert Online Daters, Social Media Users of Relationship Investment Scams

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In coordination with multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach has launched a national awareness effort to alert the public to relationship investment scams targeting Americans through wrong-numbered texts, dating apps, and social media.
    Over the coming weeks, the interagency Dating or Defrauding? social media awareness campaign will warn Americans to be skeptical of any request from online friends for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or other forms of payment. Other red flags include:

    A prolonged inability to meet in-person.
    Moving conversations off social or dating platforms to encrypted messaging apps.
    Repeated suggestions for investments or requests for money.

    The joint initiative will provide information about how to recognize relationship investment scams, what to do if you are affected, and why to share the information to warn others.
    “Today, criminals are better able to hide their identities, create more fake profiles, phishing emails, and more convincing scam websites than ever before,” said OCEO Director Melanie Devoe. “Valentine’s Day and the following weeks provide an excellent opportunity to remind people that criminals are using social media, dating, and messaging apps to scam Americans. We ask you to be alert, and to help stop scams by warning your friends and family.” 
    During the campaign, participating organizations will use the #DatingOrDefrauding hashtag and direct users to helpful resources. In addition to the CFTC, participating agencies include: 

    Federal agencies: FBI, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, Federal Trade Commission, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
    State agencies: Arizona Corporation Commission, U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, and Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
    Non-governmental organizations: FINRA and NFA. 

    About Relationship Investment Scams
    Relationship investment scams are a recent type of romance fraud, causing reported losses to the FBI of nearly $4 billion in 2023. Called pig butchering by the perpetrators, criminals use dating apps, social media platforms, messaging apps, and even random “wrong number” text messages to target possible victims. The scammers are known to use fake profiles, images, videos and voices to make themselves appear attractive and professional, and once introduced, they send frequent messages to build relationships. These new online “friends” claim to have made a lot of money trading cryptocurrency, precious metals, or foreign currency, thanks to special knowledge or insider help. The scammers talk about how easy it is and offer to help victims earn extra money. Victims are then directed to fraudulent trading platforms operated by the same organized criminal gangs.
    These scams do not discriminate and have victimized people of all ages. People who live alone or spend a lot of time on social media or in discussion groups tend to be more vulnerable to fraud. Scams work because they appeal to unmet needs or emotions, like financial stress, excitement, or fear. The good news is that awareness can reduce victimization. Sharing information could help protect those closest to you.
    In addition to participating in the Dating or Defrauding? effort, the CFTC’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach is releasing a customer advisory, Help Warn Others About Relationship Investment Scams, that explains the fraud in detail and steps the public can take to help others.
    The CFTC has previously alerted customers to romance frauds including the inaugural Dating or Defrauding? campaign in 2022. [See CFTC Press Release No. 8491-22]. The CFTC also issued customer advisories Avoid Forex, Precious Metals, and Digital Asset Romance Scams. [See CFTC Press Release No. 8492-22] and Six Warning Signs of Online Financial Romance Frauds.
    About the Office of Customer Education and Outreach
    OCEO is dedicated to helping customers protect themselves from fraud or violations of the Commodity Exchange Act through the research and development of effective financial education materials and initiatives. OCEO engages in outreach and education to retail investors. The office also frequently partners with federal and state regulators as well as consumer protection groups. The CFTC’s full repository of customer education materials can be found at: cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect.
    Customer Advisory: Help Warn Others About Relationship Investment Scams is available in full below.
    ###
    Customer Advisory: Help Warn Others About Relationship Investment Scams
    Scammers are using smart phones, social media or dating sites, and cryptocurrency to steal billions of dollars from Americans. Over the coming month, the CFTC is joining with other federal, state, and nonprofit organizations to raise awareness about these horrible crimes. You can help too: Warn your friends and family by sharing #DatingOrDefauding information and links. 
    Relationship investment scams, called pig butchering by the perpetrators, use dating apps, social media platforms, messaging apps, and even random “wrong number” text messages to target possible victims. The fraudsters use fake profiles, images, videos and voices to make them appear attractive and professional. Once introduced, they send frequent messages to build relationships. The new online “friends” claim to have made a lot of money trading cryptocurrency, precious metals, or foreign currency, thanks to special knowledge or insider help. The scammers talk about how easy it is and offer to help targets earn extra money. Targets are then directed to fraudulent trading platforms operated by the same organized criminal gangs.
    Victims are told to convert their dollars to cryptocurrency and then send the crypto to the scam website. They see their balances on the websites grow substantially and are encouraged to withdraw small amounts of money to spend on themselves. This is another ploy to build trust. Research reveals victims transfer an average of 10 payments, each larger than the last until they are financially drained. When victims try to make subsequent withdraws, they are refused or told they must pay additional fees or taxes.
    Anyone Could be a Potential Victim
    Relationship investment scams do not discriminate and have victimized people of all ages. People who live alone or spend a lot of time on social media or in discussion groups tend to be more vulnerable to fraud. Scams work because they appeal to unmet needs or emotions, like financial stress, excitement, or fear. 
    The good news is that awareness about specific scams can reduce victimization by up to 85 percent.[1] Sharing information during the Dating or Defrauding Campaign could help protect those closest to you.
    What You Can Do

    Talk about relationship investment scams and other scams you hear about. Visit the CFTC Romance Fraud Center for more information and resources. Talking regularly about fraud raises awareness, reduces the stigma of victimization, and can encourage reporting. 
    Look for and share, like, or repost messages with the #DatingOrDefrauding hashtag.
    Host a fraud prevention event in your community. You can engage local law enforcement, the CFTC, or other agencies involved in the Dating or Defrauding Campaign.
    Listen for warning signs, like a friend or relative talking about a new online relationship or investing in crypto for the first time.
    Report fraud. You can do so at CFTC.gov/complaint or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3.gov. If you are victimized by this fraud here are resources that can help.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux City Woman Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal Firearm Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A woman who violated multiple firearm laws pled guilty on February 7, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.

    Maria Francisca Portalatin, age 53, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, one count of making false statements during the purchase of firearms, one count of straw purchase of firearms, and one count of concealing a person from arrest.

    In a plea agreement, Portalatin admitted that in April of 2023, she knowingly made false statements and representations on ATF forms to Dunham’s Sports Store in Sioux City in connection with her acquisition of multiple firearms.  Portalatin later admitted to law enforcement in April of 2023, she was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and purchased the firearms for Freddie Summerville who she knew was prohibited from possessing a firearm. 

    In January of 2024, Sioux City Police stopped a car being driven by Summerville but owned by Portalatin. One of the firearms was located in the vehicle. 

    In March of 2024, Portalatin purchased two more firearms and, once again, lied on the ATF forms regarding her address, drug use and intended recipient of the firearms.  

    In June of 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the address Portalatin listed on the forms and located the four firearms she had purchased.  During an interview with law enforcement, Portalatin admitted she lied on the ATF forms and that she was aware that Freddie Summerville was wanted on a federal warrant.  

    In July of 2024, Portalatin and Summerville were stopped in a vehicle near Sioux Falls.  Subsequently, in an interview with law enforcement she admitted they were smoking methamphetamine and that she had helped harbor and conceal Summerville.  

    Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Portalatin remains free on bond previously set.  Portalatin faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-04053.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Central Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – A Central Falls man, currently incarcerated in federal prison as the result of separate charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition, admitted to a federal judge today that, before his incarceration, he deposited stolen and/or fraudulent checks into multiple bank accounts that he controlled, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

    Ryan DaCruz, 28, admitted that between February 2022 and May 2023, he opened bank accounts at four Rhode Island banks into which he then deposited checks totaling tens of thousands of dollars that had been stolen from the U.S. Mail stream by confederates.

    According to information presented to the court, the stolen checks, most of which were third party business checks, appeared to have been “washed” so that the payee names could be changed to Ryan DaCruz, and then deposited into his accounts. The deposited funds were then rapidly depleted through cash withdrawals and/or money transfers.

    When the banks recognized the deposited items as fraudulent, they closed the accounts, and DaCruz would then open a new account at a different bank.  In some instances, the banks were able to stop payment on checks before the funds were completely depleted; in other instances, they were not. The intended loss to banks totaled approximately $46.000.

    DaCruz pleaded guilty today to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2025. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Federal court records reflect that in August 2024, DaCruz was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration, having been convicted in January 2024 in for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

    The case currently before a U.S. District Court judge is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John P. McAdams and Paul F. Daly, Jr.

    The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Providence Police Department.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guilty Plea in Hacking of the SEC’s X Account That Caused Bitcoin Value Spike

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Eric Council, 25, of Athens, Georgia, entered a guilty plea today to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Council was arrested on October 17, 2024, in connection with his role in a conspiracy to hack into the X account of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and publish fraudulent posts in the name of the then-SEC Chairman. 

               The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, SEC Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division.

               Council’s plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the District of Columbia. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2025.

                According to court documents, from at least January 2024, Council conspired with others to carry out Subscriber Identity Model (SIM) attacks, commonly referred to as “SIM swaps,” in exchange for money. 

           A SIM card is a chip that stores information identifying and authenticating a cell phone subscriber and connects a physical cell phone to a mobile carrier’s cellular and data network. A SIM swap attack is a form of sophisticated fraud where criminal actors fraudulently induce a mobile carrier to reassign a mobile phone number from a victim’s SIM card to a SIM card and telephone controlled by a criminal actor attempting to access valuable information associated with the victim’s telephone. Members of SIM swapping groups conduct SIM swaps for the purpose of defeating multifactor authentication and/or two-step verification security features for internet connected accounts, such as social media and virtual currency accounts. 

               After convincing a mobile carrier to reassign a phone number to a new SIM card in the criminal actor’s control, members of the conspiracy generate password reset security authentication codes for online accounts and those codes are in turn sent to the telephone in the control of the criminal actor. Members of SIM swap groups share the security reset codes with one another to unlawfully access a victim’s internet connected accounts and complete the fraud. 

               On or about January 9, 2024, Council, and others, executed a SIM swap of the mobile phone account associated with the @SECgov X account, the official account of the SEC. The purpose of this SIM swap was to gain unauthorized access to this government account in order to make fraudulent posts. 

               Before January 9, a member of the conspiracy had identified the authorized user for the phone number linked to the official @SECgov X account. Council received instruction from a co-conspirator to perform the SIM swap on this phone line, along with information to make the needed fake ID, that is, an image of an ID card template with the authorized user’s name on it but Council’s face, and information purporting to be the user’s date of birth and social security number. 

               Council used his portable ID card printer to create a physical ID which he used to impersonate the victim at an AT&T store in Huntsville, Alabama. Council provided false information to the AT&T store employee to explain why he needed a replacement SIM card. Council obtained the SIM card linked to the victim’s phone line and walked to a nearby Apple store where he purchased a new iPhone to use in the crime.  He inserted the SIM card to activate the phone, received the @SECGov X password reset codes on this new phone linked to the victim’s SIM card and used his personal cell phone to take a photo of the @SECgov X account reset code to share with his co-conspirators. After passing along the password reset codes, Council drove to Birmingham, Alabama and immediately returned the iPhone for cash.  

               A member of the conspiracy used the reset code to gain access to the @SECGov X account and issue a fraudulent post in the name of the then-SEC Chairman, falsely announcing SEC approval of Bitcoin (BTC) Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The price of BTC increased by more than $1,000 following the post. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over their X account and confirmed that the announcement was unauthorized and the result of a security breach, which caused the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000.

                Council also admitted to attempting to perform additional SIM swaps in June 2024 in Alabama. In June 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at an Athens, Alabama, apartment where he resided. Agents recovered a fake identification card and a portable ID card printer. They also recovered a laptop computer. 

               Pursuant to the search warrant, agents searched the laptop and discovered templates for additional fake identification cards stored on the laptop along with internet searches for “SECGOV hack,” “telegram sim swap,” “how can I know for sure if I am being investigated by the FBI,” “What are the signs that you are under investigation by law enforcement or the FBI even if you have not been contacted by them,” “what are some signs that the FBI is after you,” “Verizon store list,” “federal identity theft statute,” and “how long does it take to delete telegram account.” 

                Council admitted to receiving approximately $50,000 from members of the conspiracy to perform SIM swap during the previous six months.   

               This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, the SEC-Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Fraud Section’s Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Significant assistance was provided by the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office.

              The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rosenberg, CCIPS Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello, and Fraud Section Trial Attorney Lauren Archer. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant United States Attorney John Hundscheid from the Northern District of Alabama.

             For more information on SIM swapping, go to: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411

    24cr0457

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County felon sentenced for federal gun violation

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Demond Maurice Barnes, 46, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 7, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on June 15, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a minor automobile accident in Port Arthur.  While in route, officers received information from callers that one of the drivers had a firearm in his possession. Upon arrival, officers observed a red Ford Mustang that had backed into another vehicle.  The driver of the Mustang, identified as Barnes, was unconscious in the driver’s seat, unresponsive and foaming at the mouth.  When Barnes was removed from the vehicle, officers discovered he was sitting on a semi-automatic pistol.  Further investigation revealed Barnes to be a convicted felon having been previously convicted in Louisiana of possession of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  As a convicted felon, Barnes was prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

    This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Macoupin County Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Possession of Firearms as a Felon

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Chad Dickerson, 34, of Brighton, Illinois, was sentenced on February 6, 2025, to 36 months of imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a felon, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release.

    At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless found that Dickerson possessed four firearms and noted that all four were fully loaded.

    Dickerson pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024.

    The statutory penalties for possession of firearm by a felon are up to 15 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.

    The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.

    The case against Dickerson is 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 USA: Senator Baldwin Leads Bill To Protect Access to Contraception

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined a group of her colleagues in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would create a statutory right to obtain and use contraceptives and ensure health care providers have a right to provide contraceptives, contraception, and share information about this essential care.

    “Women in Wisconsin have been clear about what they want: the right to make their own health care decisions without interference from politicians,” said Senator Baldwin. “With reproductive rights under attack, I am proud to support this legislation that will safeguard women’s freedoms and ensure all women have the right to control their bodies, regardless of where they live.”

    In July 2022, the Right to Contraception Act passed the House (220-195). That same month, Republicans blocked an attempt in the U.S. Senate to pass the bill by unanimous consent. They did the same in June 2023. In June 2024, Republicans blocked Senate Democrats’ attempt to pass the bill on the floor.

    The legislation is endorsed by Power to Decide, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Guttmacher Institute, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), Population Connection Action Fund, Americans for Contraception, Advocates for Youth, National Partnership for Women & Families, American Public Health Association, American Humanist Association, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health , Center for Biological Diversity, Ibis Reproductive Health, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Upstream USA, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Health Law Program, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Reproductive Health Access Project, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Upstream USA, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Center for American Progress, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, All* Above All, and Center for Reproductive Rights.

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York City arrests Ecuadorian alien convicted of sex abuse

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an undocumented Ecuadorian alien convicted of third-degree sex abuse: subject another person to sex contact without consent, when officers arrested Kail Sebastian Cardenas Aguirre, 27, Feb. 3.

    “ICE places a high priority on identifying, arresting and removing alien offenders who pose a threat to public safety and national security,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce.  

    Cardenas was admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant May 15, 2021, at New York and violated the terms of his admission. The New York City Police Department arrested Cardenas March 9, 2023, and charged him with sex assault: carnal abuse. He was convicted of third-degree sex abuse: subject another person to sex contact without consent, Jan. 13, and sentenced to conditional discharge.

    Cardenas will remain in ICE custody pending removal.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Alabama Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Securities and Exchange Commission X Account Hack

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    An Alabama man pleaded guilty today in connection with the January 2024 unauthorized takeover of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which hackers posted a fraudulent message in the name of the then-SEC Chairman, temporarily causing the value of Bitcoin (BTC) to increase by more than $1,000.

    According to court documents, Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, conspired with others who took unauthorized control of the SEC’s X account and falsely announced that the SEC approved BTC Exchange Traded Funds, a decision highly anticipated by the market. Immediately following the false announcement, the price of BTC increased by more than $1,000 per bitcoin. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over its X account and confirmed that the announcement was false and the result of a security breach. Following the correction, the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000 per bitcoin.

    The conspirators gained control of the SEC’s X account through an unauthorized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap carried out by Council. A SIM swap refers to the process of fraudulently inducing a cell phone carrier to reassign a cell phone number from the legitimate subscriber or user’s SIM card to a SIM card controlled by a criminal actor. As part of the scheme, Council used an identification card printer to create a fraudulent identification card with a victim’s personally identifiable information obtained from his co-conspirators. Council used the fraudulent identification card to impersonate the victim and gain access to the victim’s cellular phone number for the purpose of accessing the SEC’s account. Council’s co-conspirators then accessed the account and posted in the name of the SEC Chairman. Council received payment in bitcoin from his co-conspirators for his role.   

    Council pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 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; U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia; Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division; and SEC Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey made the announcement.

    The FBI Washington Field Office and SEC Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Substantial assistance was provided by Cyber Fellow Paul M. Zebb III.

    For more information on SIM swapping, visit www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Securities and Exchange Commission X Account Hack

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    An Alabama man pleaded guilty today in connection with the January 2024 unauthorized takeover of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which hackers posted a fraudulent message in the name of the then-SEC Chairman, temporarily causing the value of Bitcoin (BTC) to increase by more than $1,000.

    According to court documents, Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, conspired with others who took unauthorized control of the SEC’s X account and falsely announced that the SEC approved BTC Exchange Traded Funds, a decision highly anticipated by the market. Immediately following the false announcement, the price of BTC increased by more than $1,000 per bitcoin. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over its X account and confirmed that the announcement was false and the result of a security breach. Following the correction, the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000 per bitcoin.

    The conspirators gained control of the SEC’s X account through an unauthorized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap carried out by Council. A SIM swap refers to the process of fraudulently inducing a cell phone carrier to reassign a cell phone number from the legitimate subscriber or user’s SIM card to a SIM card controlled by a criminal actor. As part of the scheme, Council used an identification card printer to create a fraudulent identification card with a victim’s personally identifiable information obtained from his co-conspirators. Council used the fraudulent identification card to impersonate the victim and gain access to the victim’s cellular phone number for the purpose of accessing the SEC’s account. Council’s co-conspirators then accessed the account and posted in the name of the SEC Chairman. Council received payment in bitcoin from his co-conspirators for his role.   

    Council pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 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; U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia; Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division; and SEC Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey made the announcement.

    The FBI Washington Field Office and SEC Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Substantial assistance was provided by Cyber Fellow Paul M. Zebb III.

    For more information on SIM swapping, visit www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Christopher Ferguson

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage and dashboard camera video that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Christopher Ferguson, who died on December 5, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.

    On the afternoon of December 5, members of the NYPD, after a pursuit, encountered Mr. Ferguson as he was attempting to get out of a car near the intersection of Utica Avenue and Park Place in Brooklyn. During the encounter, Mr. Ferguson allegedly pointed a gun at the officers and the officers discharged their service weapons in response, striking Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a firearm with an extended magazine at the scene.

    The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident and video from a police car dashboard camera. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

    Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

    The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

    Warning: These videos contain content that viewers may find disturbing. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Court Orders Florida Man to Pay Over $7.6 Million for Digital Asset Fraud

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a consent order against Randall Crater of Heathrow, Florida. 
    The order requires Crater to pay over $7.6 million in restitution to defrauded victims in connection with his digital asset fraud scheme, with dollar-for-dollar credit for restitution payments to victims in satisfaction of the restitution ordered in a parallel criminal action. The order also imposes a permanent injunction against Crater and bans him from trading in any CFTC-regulated markets, entering into any transactions involving commodity interests or digital asset commodities, and registering with the CFTC. 
    The consent order finds from at least January 2014 through January 2018, Crater, together with other defendants named in CFTC’s amended complaint, operated a digital asset scheme in which they fraudulently offered the sale of a fully functioning virtual currency, My Big Coin, a commodity in interstate commerce. 
    Crater obtained more than $7.6 million from at least 28 customers through fraudulent solicitations, including false and misleading claims and omissions about MBC’s value, use and trade status, and that MBC was backed by gold. He spent the misappropriated money to purchase, among other things, a home, antiques, fine art, jewelry, and other luxury goods.
    The consent order resolves the claims against Crater in the CFTC’s enforcement action against him and co-defendants Mark Gillespie, My Big Coin Pay, Inc., My Big Coin, Inc., John Roche, and Michael Kruger. [See CFTC Press Release 7678-18.] The enforcement action remains pending against the co-defendants.
    The CFTC cautions that orders requiring repayment of funds to victims may not result in the recovery of any money lost because the wrongdoers may not have sufficient funds or assets. The CFTC will continue to fight vigorously for the protection of customers and to ensure wrongdoers are held accountable.
    Parallel Criminal Action
    On Jan. 18, 2022, a grand jury returned an eight-count superseding indictment charging Crater with wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business based on the same conduct alleged in CFTC’s amended complaint. [United States v. Randall Crater, No. 1:19-cr-10063-DJC (D. Mass. Jan. 18, 2022)).] Crater was found guilty of those charges on July 21, 2022, and was sentenced to over eight years in prison and ordered to pay $7.6 million in restitution to defrauded customers and to forfeit $7.6 million, which represented the proceeds he received from his violations.
    The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and the FBI.
    Division of Enforcement staff responsible for this case are Traci Rodriguez, Jonah E. McCarthy, Patricia Gomersall, Daniel Ullman II, Paul G. Hayeck, and former staff members Jason Mahoney, John Einstman, Kyong J. Koh, and Hillary Van Tassel.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: q21capital.ag: BaFin consumers about website and identity fraud

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The financial supervisory authority BaFin warns against offers from the website q21capital.ag. Contrary to the information on the website, the website is not operated by the capital management company Q21 Capital InvAG mit TGV, which is registered with BaFin. This is a case of identity theft.

    Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 16 (8) of the German Investment Code (Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch – KAGB).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: primeescrow.net: BaFin warns against Prime Escrow

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin warns against offers from Prime Escrow, allegedly Frankfurt am Main. It is suspected that the unknown operators of the website primeescrow.net are providing payment services without the required authorisation.

    Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the required authorisation. Information on whether companies have been authorised by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 8 (7) of the German Act on the Supervision of Payment Services (Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz – ZAG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Crocodile euthanised during search for missing man in Aurukun

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 8 Feb 2025

    Wildlife officers, with the assistance of Queensland Police Service (QPS), have humanely euthanised a large crocodile as part of recovery efforts to locate a man who went missing from Aurukun on 1 February 2025.

    The 4-metre crocodile was located by wildlife officers overnight near Watson River.

    The animal was very distinguishable as it had dark skin colouration compared to other large crocodiles in the area.

    Wildlife officers have handed the crocodile over to the Queensland Police Service.

    The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the missing man.

    The Aurukun region is well known Croc Country and people should always be Crocwise in that area. In particular:

    • Expect crocodiles in ALL waterways even if there is no warning sign
    • Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
    • Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
    • Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating
    • The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
    • Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure
    • Camp well back from the edge of the water
    • Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near water, camp site or boat ramp
    • Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
    • Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead.

    MIL OSI News –