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US seeking Irishman in connection with alleged Bitcoin theft

Summary

A 20‑year‑old Irishman, Conor Freeman, was arrested in Dun Laoghaire on 9 May 2019 after a US warrant was served. US authorities allege that Freeman, part of an online group called "The Community," conspired to hack targets using SIM hijacking to steal more than $2 million in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies between February and May 2018. The indictment, issued by a Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Michigan, charges Freeman with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and four counts of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft. If convicted in the US, Freeman faces up to 108 years in prison. He was remanded in custody by the High Court to appear on 22 May for a bail application. The case remains at the extradition stage, with no further proceedings reported.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: US seeking Irishman in connection with alleged Bitcoin theft. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 2018 Other
• May 2018 Incident
• May 9, 2019 Incident
• May 22 Adjournment
• April 18, 2019 Other
• 2019-05-10 Publication

Why: They requested that Mr Freeman be arrested by gardaí on the same date as his alleged co-conspirators because once he learned of the arrests of his alleged co-conspirators, they alleged, he would destroy evidence and potentially flee, according to the warrant. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Theft

Read the original CNI report