A Wellington man has been arrested in Auckland as part of an FBI-led investigation into a transnational organised crime group accused of stealing USD $450 million in cryptocurrency through fraud and laundering it via multiple platforms.
Thirteen people across New Zealand and the United States face charges, with the New Zealander indicted under U.S. federal law for racketeering, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.
Authorities allege the group scammed seven victims and spent the proceeds on luxury goods and services, including exotic cars and rental homes in high-end U.S. locations.
The man was granted interim name suppression and is due in court on 3 July.
Image credit: Traxer
