An Indian citizen recently admitted to U.S. authorities that he orchestrated a sophisticated scam involving a counterfeit version of Coinbase’s website, leading to the theft of over $9.5 million in cryptocurrency from multiple victims.
Chirag Tomar, 30, was apprehended at Atlanta airport in December 2023 while on a visit to his family on a travel visa. He is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence.
The case came to light through the diligent efforts of Seamus Hughes of CourtWatch, who identified Tomar’s involvement in the elaborate scheme. Court documents reveal that Tomar and his associates developed a fraudulent replica of Coinbase Pro’s platform to deceive unsuspecting customers into divulging their login credentials. Over a span of more than two years, 542 individuals fell victim to this deception.
The U.S. Secret Service pinpointed Tomar’s participation in the criminal network by tracing his communication through a personal email account and documenting his meticulous record-keeping of stolen funds and falsified identity documents. Tomar’s online activities also provided incriminating evidence, as he had conducted searches for fraudulent schemes related to Coinbase and ways to bypass security measures.
Remarkably, Tomar utilized the same email address for his visa application to the U.S., underscoring the ease with which he moved between legitimate and illicit activities. The ill-gotten gains from his fraudulent activities funded an extravagant lifestyle, characterized by luxury watches, high-end vehicles, and international travel.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency scams and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding personal information and assets in the digital realm.
