Courts / Dublin / Report

'Loner' took part in theft of $2m in cryptocurrency

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Conor Freeman, aged 21, pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing proceeds of crime, amounting to 142.75682712 Bitcoin, and to stealing cryptocurrency from three victims in May 2018. He admitted to stealing $100,000 from Darran Marble, $1,921,335 from Seth Sharpiro, and $167,622.22 from Micheal Templeman. Freeman also pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly operating a computer to make a gain between 15 and 18 May 2018. The court noted that Freeman was identified by U.S. Homeland Security as the person behind certain internet handles linked to the offences. He had been part of an online group that targeted individuals with cryptocurrency, using social media to obtain email addresses and phone numbers, and then exploiting password‑reset protocols to access accounts. Freeman's co‑conspirators transferred phone numbers to SIM cards and initiated protocols to gain access.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Loner' took part in theft of $2m in cryptocurrency. Charges or matters: knowingly engaging in the possession of the proceeds of crime; stealing $100,000 in cryptocurrency; stealing cryptocurrencies with an approximate value of $1,921,335; stealing cryptocurrencies with an approximate value of $167,622.22; dishonestly operating a computer to make a gain. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• May 15, 2018 Incident
• May 16, 2018 Other
• May 18, 2018 Other
• May 15 Other
• 2020-11-16 Publication

Why: The co-conspirators would then initiate protocols that are in place in the event of people forgetting their passwords in order to gain access to the online accounts of potential victims. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report