US Arrests Two Individuals for Financial Crimes
US officials have made a significant arrest, charging Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill with money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Allegedly, their service, Samourai Wallet, facilitated billions of dollars in illegal transactions and money laundering.
Allegation of Facilitating $2 Billion Illegal Transactions
- US Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the seriousness of the allegations, claiming Samourai Wallet was a major hub for criminal proceeds.
- Special Agent Thomas Fattorusso of the IRS-CI emphasized the massive scale of oversight failure.
- The IRS-CI’s Cyber units collaborated to seize Samourai’s operational infrastructure.
Seizure of Samourai’s Website
A seizure warrant for Samourai’s mobile application was served on the Google Play Store, resulting in the app’s removal.
Action Against Defendants
- FBI Assistant Director James Smith highlighted the defendants’ ability to shield financial criminals using their platform.
- The defendants face severe legal consequences if convicted, potentially leading to long prison sentences.
- Experts argue that features like “Whirlpool” and “Ricochet” in the Samourai Wallet are essential for user privacy and protection against surveillance.
- Anibal Garrido and Javier Bastardo criticize the charges, emphasizing the technological innovation of Samourai Wallet.
- Raul Velásquez points out the broader implications of the case for developers of cryptocurrency mixing software.
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