Forbes Contributor Heather Morgan charged with money laundering


On 8th
February morning, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation specialists
captured Heather Morgan and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein for allegedly plotting
to launder crypto associated with the 2016 Bitfinex hack that saw 119,756 BTC drained
from the cryptocurrency exchange.
As indicated by
the FBI, the 31-year-old New York lady and her 34-year-old better half
contrived to launder funds from the hack and spent the returns on gold, NFTs,
and different things.
About $3.6
billion in cryptocurrency from the 2016 hack of the cryptocurrency trade
Bitfinex has up to this point been recovered in what Justice Department
authorities said Tuesday is the department’s biggest such seizure to date.
“Criminals
always leave tracks,” FBI Deputy Director Paul M. Abbate said in a statement.
“And today’s case is a reminder that the FBI has the tools to follow the digital
trail, wherever it may lead.”
Court records
blame the couple for conspiring to launder the proceeds of 119,754 Bitcoin that
a hacker gave out more than 2,000 exchanges to a wallet under Lichtenstein's
influence.
The criminal complaint
likewise asserts that Lichtenstein and Morgan utilized imaginary personalities
to set up internet-based records to exploit PC programs that automate
transactions.
As per
Lichtenstein's LinkedIn, he at present works as an investor for Demandpath, a
guide for SalesFolk, and a mentor for 500 Startups. Morgan, then again,
portrays herself as a "serial entrepreneur," blogger, and rapper
under the assumed name Razzlekhan. Alongside facilitating a TikTok account
where she shares tips on the best way to turn into a successful business
person, she has contributed articles to Forbes on how rapping can help CEOs and
how to safeguard a business from cybercriminals.
The couple is
dealing with the conspiracy of conspiracy and connivance to swindle the United
States, which separately convey 20 years and five years in jail. The two of
them showed up in a Manhattan government court on Tuesday evening.

Joyashree Dey
CBW - External Analyst
INDIA