The Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Fraud Casebook

CHAPTER 1 - Introduction to Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Fraud and Crime
Introduction to Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Introduction to Fraud
Understanding Fraud Theft Targets
Understanding Fraud Approaches
Understanding the Elements of Fraud
Distinguishing Criminal and Civil Fraud
Distinguishing theft and fraud
Motivations for Fraud
Comparing Crypto Fraud with Traditional Fraud
Crypto Fraud Statistics
Crypto Romance Scams
Pig Butchering Scams
Crypto Phising Scams
Giveaway / Multiplier Scams
Celebrity and Corporate Impersonation
Social Media Hijacking
Goodwill Airdrop Fraud
Summary

CHAPTER 2 - Cryptocurrency Exchange Fraud and Hacks
Introduction to Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Hackers and Crypto Exchange Centralization
Introduction to Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Centralized versus Decentralized Exchanges
Spot trading
Case studies in Cryptocurrency Exchange Fraud and Hacks
Coincheck Hot Wallet Hack
Tumblers
Coincheck Hack Aftermath
Decentralized exchange hacks
GMX
Kyber Network
Transit Swap
Ascendex
MM.Finance
Bitfinex
Crypto.com
Cryptocurrency Exchange Hack Future Perspectives
Summary

CHAPTER 3 - Cryptocurrency Ponzi, Pyramid and MLM Schemes: Part 1
Introduction to Cryptocurrency Ponzi Schemes
Introduction to Pyramid and MLM Schemes
Case studies in Cryptocurrency Ponzi and Pyramid Schemes
Brazilian Cryptocurrency Scams
Brazil's "Bitcoin King"
Brazil's Bitcoin Pharaoh
International Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering
Operation Egypto
African Crypto Scams
Challenges To Bitcoin Adoption in Africa
CryptoShares (Zimbabwe)
Egyptian Crypto Ponzi Scams
OneCoin
Summary

CHAPTER 4 - Cryptocurrency Ponzi, Pyramid and MLM Schemes: Part 2
Cryptocurrency Ponzi Schemes and Pyramid Schemes Continued
Turgut V
Profit Connect Wealth Services
Coinbase Former Employee
BitConnect
Summary

CHAPTER 5 - Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Fraud
Introduction to NFTs
Common NFT Fraud Typologies
Meme NFT Fraud
Case studies in Cryptocurrency Ponzi Schemes
Beer With Bill Murray
Frosties and Embers
Baller Ape Club
Vulcan Forged
NFT Minting Fraud
Pranksy
Artist Impersonation
Meebits
Marble Cards
OpenSea NFT Insider Trading Case
Summary

CHAPTER 6 - Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Fraud and Hacks: Part 1
Introduction to DeFi
Binance Blockchain (BNB Bridge)
Meerkat Finance
BadgerDAO
Rari Capital / Fei Protocol
KuCoin
EasyFi / Nexus Mutual
Pickle Finance
Akropolis DeFi and Origin Dollar
The DAO Hack
Vee Finance
Value DeFi
Alpha Finance
PancakeBunny and PolyBunny
Cashio
Mirror Protocol
Harvest Finance
Mango Markets
Boy X Highspeed (BXH) Exchange
Summary

CHAPTER 7 - Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Fraud and Hacks: Part 2
Decentralized Finance Fraud and Hacks Continued
Nirvana Finance
Beanstalk
bZx (Fulcrum)
Compound Finance
Compounder Finance
Alchemix
Introduction to DeFi Bridge Hacks
Multichain (formerly Anyswap)
Wormhole
Qubit Finance
BitMart
Axie Infinity's Ronin Network
Harmony's Horizon Bridge
Nomad Bridge
Poly Network
Cream Finance
Wintermute
Summary

CHAPTER 8 - Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund Scams and Anti-Money Laundering Violations
Introduction to Crypto Hedge Funds
Anti-money Laundering Compliance
Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
Robinhood Crypto, LLC
Q3 Trading Club
EmpiresX
Virgil Sigma Fund LP / VQR
Summary

CHAPTER 9 - Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Celebrity Token Promotions: Part 1
Introduction to Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Celebrity Promotion
SEC November 2017 ICO Cautionary Warning
T.I. and Flik
Steven Segal and Bitcoiin2Gen
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and DJ Khaled
Kim Kardashian and EthereumMax
Summary

CHAPTER 10 - Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Celebrity Token Promotions: Part 2
Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Celebrity Promotion Continued
The Hydrogen Technology Corporation and Hydro
Sparkster
Summary

CHAPTER 11 - Additional Case Studies in Cryptocurrency Fraud
Introduction
Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services
Barksdale Siblings and Ormeus Coin
Mercenary Gold
CryptoBay VIP and other January 2022 frauds
Outverse
Big Daddy Ape Club
Blockverse
VirSE
Summary

CHAPTER 12 - Trends and Future Developments
Introduction
Increased Regulatory Resources To Fight Crypto Fraud
Increasing Focus of Hackers on Crypto Related Espionage
Crypto Increasingly Used to Pay Spies
Jareh Sebastian Dalke
Jonathan and Diane Toebbe
North Korean Espionage
Fake Crypto Job Postings To Gather Intelligence
Helix and Coin Ninja - Crypto Mixer FinCEN Penalty
Tornado Cash and Crypto's Relations To Sanctions