In early 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Ivars Auzins (29) with fraud. According to the allegations, between November 2017 and July 2019, Auzins received more than $7 million to Auzins Corporation.
After receiving the funds (in cryptocurrency), the companies disappeared without providing the services it said they had. On August 26, Auzins was extradited to the United States.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace and Assistant Superintendent Michael J. Driscoll, the FBI Office for the New York Oil Field, issued the following statement:
‘Auzins committed a A brazen scheme in which he defrauded investors who put millions into fraudulent cryptocurrencies.
‘ The Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who lie and steal from investors, including those accused of operating abroad. ‘
Alexander Vinnik extradited to US
In early August, alleged BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik was extradited to the US from Greens. According to allegations, Vinnik conducted business with drug dealers and ransomware hackers through encryptionexchange .
Vinnik was first arrested in Greece in 2017 on a US warrant. Greece approved the extradition, however, with the issuance of a European arrest warrant, Vinnick was sent to France.
He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for
money laundering
, identity theft and extortion. Immediately after returning to Greece, he boarded another flight to the United States.
In July, the United States withdrew its request to expel Vinnick, hoping that Greece would send Russia to them when he returned (as a Greek court has granted extradition).
Greece’s decision angered Russia. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova issued the following statement:
‘We are outraged by the unfriendly behavior of the Greek authorities, who, under pressure from the United States, launched a campaign against Russian citizens in the United States the real hunt. On a far-fetched pretext, a third country has extradited our countryman Alexander Winnick in retaliation for punitive justice in the United States.
‘In violation of Article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, against the appeal of the official Russian embassy in Athens, the embassy consular officer, his lawyer and translator were not allowed to visit the Russians. ‘
FULL STATEMENT
In early 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Ivars Auzins (29) with Fraud. According to the allegations, between November 2017 and July 2019, Auzins received more than $7 million to Auzins Corporation.
After receiving the funds (in cryptocurrency), the companies disappeared without providing the services it said they had. On August 26, Auzins was extradited to the United States.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace and Assistant Superintendent Michael J. Driscoll, the FBI Office for the New York Oil Field, issued the following statement:
‘Auzins committed a A brazen scheme in which he defrauded investors who put millions into fraudulent cryptocurrencies.
‘ The Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who lie and steal from investors, including those accused of operating abroad. ‘
Alexander Vinnik extradited to US
In early August, alleged BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik was extradited to the US from Greens. According to allegations, Vinnik conducted business with drug dealers and ransomware hackers through encryptionexchange .
Vinnik was first arrested in Greece in 2017 on a US warrant. Greece approved the extradition, however, with the issuance of a European arrest warrant, Vinnick was sent to France.
He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for
money laundering
, identity theft and extortion. Immediately after returning to Greece, he boarded another flight to the United States.
In July, the United States withdrew its request to expel Vinnick, hoping that Greece would send Russia to them when he returned (as a Greek court has granted extradition).
Greece’s decision angered Russia. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova issued the following statement:
‘We are outraged by the unfriendly behavior of the Greek authorities, who, under pressure from the United States, launched a campaign against Russian citizens in the United States the real hunt. On a far-fetched pretext, a third country has extradited our countryman Alexander Winnick in retaliation for punitive justice in the United States.
‘In violation of Article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, against the appeal of the official Russian embassy in Athens, the embassy consular officer, his lawyer and translator were not allowed to visit the Russians. ‘
Complete statement
