police

According to Bitcoin.com, the Singapore Police Force's Anti-Fraud Centre and Cybercrime Investigation Department, in a six-week joint anti-fraud operation from April 16 to May 31, 2026, collaborated with Coinbase, Coinhako, Gemini, Independent Reserve, OKX, StraitsX, and Upbit to identify potential fraud victims using blockchain analysis tools from Chainalysis and TRM Labs. They conducted over 145 targeted interventions through phone calls and on-site visits, preventing potential losses exceeding $4.2 million.Coinbase Singapore posted on X on July 10, stating that it collaborated with the Singapore Police to prevent over 145 individuals from losing a total of more than $4.2 million due to fraud. The Singapore Police stated that they will continue to work with cryptocurrency exchanges and other private sectors to combat cybercrime.

According to IBTIMES, Brazilian police announced the launch of "Operation Veil of Maya," executing 9 search and seizure warrants simultaneously in São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Porto Alegre, and Canoas to combat a money laundering network involving 87 shell companies. The operation's name is derived from the philosophical concept of "Maya," which refers to the illusion that hides reality.Investigations show that cryptocurrency primarily plays a role in cross-border fund transfers within this money laundering network, where criminals receive illegal income through shell companies, convert the funds into crypto assets, and then transfer them abroad. Those involved may face charges of money laundering, tax evasion, participation in organized crime, and other related accusations, but the police have not yet disclosed the scale of the funds involved or the quantity of seized assets.

According to DigitalAsset, Upbit operator Dunamu has been selected as the first priority candidate for the "Management of Seized Digital Asset Custody Business" by the Korean National Police Agency. According to data from the Korean government procurement portal (KONEPS), Dunamu ranked first with a comprehensive score of 94.73 (technical score 84.73, bid price score 10), surpassing the Korea Digital Asset Custody Company (KDAC, 91.29) and Hecto Wallet One (87.27).The project budget is 267 million won, with a contract period of 1 year, aimed at entrusting the digital assets seized by the police during investigations to external professional institutions for secure custody. Previously, there were cases in the Korean judicial system where seized bitcoins were lost, raising concerns about the need for external custody of digital assets.

According to Vietnam's Youth Newspaper, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam recently held a press conference to report the latest investigation results of the ONUS cryptocurrency platform fraud case. More than 350 kilograms of gold and silver have been seized, transactions involving 8 properties valued at 20 trillion Vietnamese dong have been frozen, and transactions of over 300 involved bank accounts have been suspended.On March 23 of this year, the police filed criminal charges against 8 defendants, accusing them of using computer networks and telecommunications networks to commit property appropriation and money laundering. Since 2018, the individuals involved have taken advantage of the public's lack of understanding of cryptocurrency, creating digital accounts through applications and packaging them as virtual currency. They established trust and attracted investment through circular buying and selling among affiliated companies, thereby committing fund appropriation, with a total sale of cryptocurrency valued at over 70 trillion Vietnamese dong from 2018 to 2021.The case involves numerous individuals and users, with approximately 5 million user accounts opened. The police have received over 2000 reports from citizens. The public security authorities are investigating the possible accomplice responsibilities of KOLs and other internet celebrities and continue to make every effort to recover the embezzled funds.

According to Malaysian media "The New Straits Times," Malaysian police raided an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation located in a warehouse in the Port Klang Free Trade Zone at Pulau Indah yesterday and shut it down. During the raid, two foreign men, aged 20 and 31, were detained, and mining equipment was confiscated.According to Malaysian law, this action violates the Penal Code and the Electricity Supply Act. If convicted, the two men could face ten years in prison and a fine of 100,000 ringgit (approximately 24,500 USD).

According to Bloomberg, the Federal Police of Brazil simultaneously carried out law enforcement actions in multiple locations in São Paulo to implement the sanctions resolution previously issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, targeting cross-border money laundering gangs serving the Brazilian gang "First Command of the Capital (PCC)."This operation executed 11 temporary arrest warrants and conducted 13 searches and seizures, involving two core individuals who have been placed on the sanctions list by the U.S. authorities. As ruled by the court, a total of 1.04 billion reais (equivalent to 200 million dollars) in funds, physical assets, and cryptocurrencies associated with the individuals involved have been frozen.The individual involved, Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira, has been arrested by the police, while another suspect, Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada, is currently at large. U.S. authorities accuse the two of establishing multi-layered financial channels, relying on cryptocurrency transfers, cash transportation, and large transfers between public and private accounts to move criminal proceeds. The suspects will face multiple charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal cross-border transfer of funds.

According to the South China Morning Post, Sun Shengbin from the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau and Lou Yandi from the Zhejiang Provincial Public Security Department's Criminal Investigation Team published a technical paper on June 4 in the journal "Forensic Technology," systematically disclosing the Chinese police's forensic tools and case handling processes for virtual currency assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The content covers aspects such as device cracking, evidence collection, on-chain transaction tracking, and asset freezing and seizure.The paper outlines several tracking methods, one of which involves tracking transaction fees back to exchanges like Binance, allowing the police to obtain user data. The police can acquire "Know Your Customer" (KYC) records from major exchanges such as Binance, OKX, and HTX through formal legal channels. For funds stored in exchanges, the police can freeze accounts for six months, and the freezing period can be extended.Additionally, the document emphasizes strict operational bottom lines: investigators must not privately hold private keys. The principle of "separation of case handling and custody" must be adhered to, with comprehensive supervision and the establishment of a clear regulatory chain record.

According to on-chain detective ZachXBT, multiple reports indicate that the centralized cryptocurrency exchange AscendEX (formerly Bitmax) has recently delayed or failed to process users' withdrawal requests for several days or even weeks, yet the platform continues to accept user deposits.As early as the initial warning on June 26, ZachXBT pointed out that, after reviewing on-chain data from Arkham and TRM, several known hot wallets of AscendEX (covering EVM, Tron, and Solana networks) severely lack major market cap tokens such as ETH, USDT, and SOL, indicating that the platform is likely facing a serious liquidity crisis.The latest situation shows that, in the 9 days since the first warning, the official X account of AscendEX has remained inactive, and the platform's co-founder George (Jing) Cao has not responded to inquiries from users with large amounts of trapped funds. Currently, ZachXBT strongly advises users unable to withdraw their funds to report to law enforcement and regulatory agencies in their respective countries or regions as soon as possible.It is reported that AscendEX was founded by George (Jing) Cao and Ariel Ling in 2018. In December 2021, the platform was attacked by the hacker group Lazarus Group, resulting in approximately $78 million in asset losses.

According to "On-Chain Detective" ZachXBT's post on his personal channel, Polish social engineering attacker Wojtek Kulisz (online name "Merry") was recently suspected of being raided by Polish law enforcement, along with three others being taken away.Although the official press release did not disclose his name or photo, several designer clothing and jewelry items displayed on his public Instagram account "wojtekk" are highly consistent with the items seized during the police operation. The related case is led by the Polish Central Cyber Crime Fighting Department (CBZC) and has received assistance from agencies such as the FBI and HSI.

According to the Korea Economic Daily, at least seven companies, including Dunamu, the operator of the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, have submitted proposals to bid to become the first private custodian of virtual assets seized by the Korean National Police Agency. Other bidders include major custodians Korea Digital Asset (KODA), Korea Digital Asset Custody (KDAC), BDACS, Hecto Wallet One, Infinite Block, and DSRV.An official from a virtual asset custody institution explained that the selection results may be finalized next month. The official pointed out that in a previous pilot project conducted for the National Tax Service, the winning bidder was determined within one to two weeks after the proposal presentation concluded.

According to the Chosun Ilbo, 22 Bitcoins that were previously held by the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul during the investigation of a financial hacking case have been lost, amounting to approximately 2.2 billion won at the latest market value. The investigation revealed that the Bitcoins involved were stored in an offline wallet held by the complainant, and individuals who knew the mnemonic phrase subsequently restored and liquidated them externally.

According to HK01, the Hong Kong police have cracked a cross-border money laundering case. The involved group used 43 Hong Kong bank accounts to process funds from 34 fraud cases between June and September 2024, amounting to approximately HKD 18 million, and is suspected of laundering up to HKD 230 million in criminal proceeds through cryptocurrency transactions via bank accounts.The police investigation found that a 34-year-old woman from mainland China is suspected of coming to Hong Kong to set up multiple puppet bank accounts, assisting the criminal group in laundering approximately HKD 9.29 million in criminal proceeds, and purchasing cryptocurrency through virtual asset exchange shops to disguise the source and flow of funds. The woman was sentenced to 47.5 months in prison.The Hong Kong police remind that assisting a criminal group in handling funds could face up to 10 years in prison, and those involved in money laundering could face fines of up to HKD 5 million and imprisonment for up to 14 years.

According to reports from Nanchong Rongmei, the Public Security Bureau of Nanchong City in Sichuan Province announced that the police recently investigated a case involving the use of AI large models to fabricate and disseminate false information about the securities market.It is reported that the person involved, Wang, sought to gain internet traffic revenue by using AI to generate an article of about 3,000 words related to the stock market and published it on online platforms. After verification by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the article fabricated false policy information regarding the collection of stamp duty, T+0 trading, and made misleading predictions about the securities market, disrupting the order of the financial market. Currently, the related false articles have been removed, and the police in Nanchong County have legally imposed administrative penalties on Wang.

The Hong Kong Police Force's Financial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, jointly held an "Anti-Money Laundering Exhibition." Hong Kong Police Commissioner Raymond Siu disclosed data stating that in the first quarter of this year, Hong Kong recorded over 9,400 fraud cases, a decrease of about 60 cases compared to the same period last year, but the amount of losses exceeded HKD 1.85 billion, an increase of nearly HKD 300 million compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter of this year, about 2,000 people were arrested for fraud and money laundering-related cases, with approximately 70% being "puppet account" holders.The Hong Kong police remind that under the law, a conviction for money laundering can result in a maximum fine of HKD 5 million and imprisonment for 14 years, and the court may apply for an increased sentence depending on the circumstances.

According to a report by Kyodo News, the Osaka Prefectural Police arrested three men on suspicion of violating the Organized Crime Punishment Law for laundering criminal proceeds on behalf of an investment fraud gang. It is said that these three individuals exchanged approximately 14 million yen from 10 victims across six prefectures into stablecoins and other cryptocurrency assets to conceal the source of the funds.According to the Osaka Prefectural Police, these three individuals belong to "over-the-counter traders" who conduct personal cryptocurrency transactions without using trading platforms and are believed to have participated in money laundering activities amounting to billions of yen.

"On-chain detective" ZachXBT published a case analysis stating that in a cryptocurrency asset case involving an Indian scam gang, the relevant individuals reported the case to law enforcement after their assets were frozen, drawing attention. The incident began when a user sought help, claiming that approximately 5.73 BTC (about $475,000) was frozen on Changelly in March 2025.Subsequent on-chain analysis revealed that these funds could be traced back to multiple social engineering attacks and theft cases related to Bitcoin ATMs targeting U.S. users, with a total amount involved exceeding $1 million and several elderly victims. The investigation showed that the individual provided multiple changing explanations for the source of the funds, including "loan," "boss transfer," and "investment from 2014-2015," and there were significant contradictions in the evidence chain.More concerning is that this user had previously filed a police report in India in December 2025, attempting to recover the frozen funds (case number 3207-P/2025). Subsequent on-chain evidence collection and email data analysis indicated that they might be a "mule" for transferring funds, with some bank documents inconsistent with their identity information. ZachXBT noted that such cases demonstrate that social engineering attacks and cross-border fund transfers continue to occur and remind users to avoid interacting with funds from suspicious sources to prevent triggering compliance freezes or legal risks.

According to The Block, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Seoul Police Agency in South Korea has arrested 23 suspects accused of laundering money for a Cambodian criminal organization, with the amount involved approximately 16.8 billion won (about 11.1 million USD). The gang transferred about 11.1 million USD in illegal funds by purchasing USDT and trading on domestic and international cryptocurrency exchanges from February 2024 to April 2025, using approximately 11,300 accounts for money laundering, involving about 265 cases of phishing and investment fraud, with the amount of illicit funds involved around 17 million USD. The Seoul police have seized approximately 650 million won (about 430,000 USD) in criminal proceeds from the suspects, but the gang leader is still at large and has been issued a red notice by Interpol.The police also arrested 33 individuals on the same charges for illegally providing currency exchange services to tourists and acquaintances through USDT.

According to the Korea Herald, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Wide Area Crime Investigation Team has dismantled two organizations involved in money laundering using virtual assets, with a total amount involved exceeding 14 billion Korean won. One organization consists of nine individuals, including a Chinese suspect A (45 years old), who were instructed by a Cambodian telecom fraud group. From February 2024 to April 2025, they purchased USDT through overseas exchanges and transferred it between domestic and foreign exchanges, laundering approximately 14 billion Korean won in total. The organization charged a fee of 650 million Korean won, and the main suspects have been transferred to the prosecution, with two individuals arrested, and the leader Y (29 years old) has been issued a red notice by Interpol.The other organization, consisting of 14 individuals, directly participated in laundering the proceeds from the Cambodian romance scam, with an amount involved of approximately 2.8 billion Korean won. In addition, another 33 individuals have been transferred to the prosecution for allegedly providing unlicensed virtual currency exchange services to foreign tourists (involving 6.3 billion Korean won).

According to Xinhua Daily, the police in Ya'an, Sichuan have cracked a cross-border online pornography crime case. The involved pornographic comic website "Shameful Color Comics" profited by inducing teenagers to frequently make small payments, with the website receiving over 100 million visits and a financial flow exceeding 12 million yuan (approximately 1.66 million USD). The police found that individuals within the country received the illicit funds through multiple companies and personal accounts, and that Li Mouwu and others transferred the money abroad using virtual currency.Recently, the People's Court of Ming Mountain District in Ya'an City sentenced five defendants for the crimes of profiting from the distribution of obscene materials and assisting in information network crime activities. Judicial authorities are still investigating the foreign financial backers behind the website.

The South Korean police have listed Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won as a suspect in a bribery case related to the employment of Kim Byung-kee's son, a member of the National Assembly of South Korea, at Bithumb. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit is investigating Lee Jae-won and Bithumb, with the allegations involving Bithumb hiring Kim Byung-kee's son.The police reportedly obtained a statement from Kim's former assistant, stating that Kim requested Lee Jae-won to hire his second son in November 2024. Kim's son subsequently joined Bithumb two months later and worked at the trading platform for six months. Kim also requested Bithumb to hire one of his assistants, who then joined Bithumb in September last year and has been working there since.The South Korean police believe that Kim, as a member of the National Assembly's Financial Affairs Committee, engaged in legislative activities against Bithumb's competitor Upbit and raised concerns about Upbit's market monopoly. This development comes after months of investigation into the relationship between Kim and Bithumb, which included two searches and seizures.