TYB
Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly had a group chat with FTX inner circle called ‘Wirefraud’
December 13, 2022
Disgraced FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried once had a private chatgroup with his inner circle under the name “Wirefraud,” according to a report.
The then-hailed crypto billionaire used the dubious name for a group chat on Signal along with FTX co-founder Zixiao “Gary” Wang and engineer Nishad Singh, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Another “Wirefraud” user was allegedly Bankman-Fried’s ex, Caroline Ellison, who was the chief executive of Alameda Research, the privately held crypto fund into which the FTX chief is accused of moving billions of dollars in customer funds.
The report came hours before Bankman-Fried was indicted on federal charges in New York — including two for wire fraud and two more for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Sauce/more: https://nypost.com/2022/12/13/sbf-reportedly-had-group-chat-called-wirefraud/
because of course he did
Sam Bankman-Fried tells court he plans to fight extradition from Bahamas
December 13, 2022
Fallen FTX mogul Sam Bankman-Fried appeared in court in the Bahamas Tuesday, signaling he plans to fight extradition to the US, where he faces a slew of federal charges, including fraud and making illegal campaign contributions.
The 30-year-old accused crypto crook appeared relaxed and wearing a blue shirt at a heavily guarded court in the capital, Nassau, for his first in-person public appearance since the stunning collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange.
He quickly told the court he was not waiving his right to an extradition hearing.
“Mr. Bankman-Fried is reviewing the charges with his legal team and considering all of his legal options,” his lawyer, Mark S. Cohen, also said in a statement.
The hearing was then delayed over legal discussion on whether the well-connected Democratic donor could get bail, Eyewitness News Bahamas said.
Suace/more: https://nypost.com/2022/12/13/sam-bankman-fried-tells-court-he-plans-to-fight-extradition/
Sam's Mommy & Daddy are rich AF. The party goes on!
'A plotline straight out of The Americans':Ukrainian manwho ran popular online craft store with wife and 'blended' into their New Hampshire neighborhood is indicted for 'smuggling nuclear and quantum computing tech to Russia'
December 13, 2022
An unassuming New Hampshire husband who runs an online craft shop with his wife has been charged over a conspiracy to supply Russia with high-tech equipment used in nuclear weapons development. In an elaborate conspiracy likened to the plot of a TV spy drama, Alexey Brayman and his accomplices allegedly operated an international ring that smuggled sensitive technologies into Russia via Europe. Brayman and his wife, Daria, share a quaint suburban home in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where they run an online craft store and night lights business. That home is now thought to be the 'clearing house' where Brayman trafficked 'advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment used in quantum computing, hypersonic and nuclear weapons development and other military and space-based military applications', prosecutors allege. The equipment 'could make a significant contribution to the military potential or nuclear proliferation of other nations or that could be detrimental to the… national security of the United States', it is claimed. The case has come to light amid Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine - and growing concern in Moscow about its decreasing supplies of weapons and technology.
Alexey Brayman was allegedly part of an international conspiracy to smuggle sensitive American technologies into Russia via Europe
His home, which he shares with his Russian wife, Daria, was allegedly a clearing house for the goods
Prosecutors say the equipment can be 'used in quantum computing, hypersonic and nuclear weapons development'
The conspiracy is a world away from the Braymans' reputation locally as 'the nicest family', who enjoy ice skating, basketball games and local art festivals
Brayman and six others face charges including conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling, and bank and wire fraud
Case has parallels with The Americans, a TV drama about two Russian agents who pose as an American couple during the Cold War
The equipment trafficked by Brayman - whose wife has not been charged - is said to include expensive semiconductors and other high-tech devices like oscilloscopes. This is considered 'dual-use' technology because it can be used in both civilian and military products.
Brayman received the equipment piecemeal from the co-conspirators whose tactics to conceal the conspiracy included using front companies headed by Russian businessmen, it is alleged.
He then sent on the technology to Germany and Estonia, which are described by authorities as 'common transshipment points for items ultimately destined for Russia'.
He is named in a 16-count indictment unsealed today, along with co-defendants Yevgeniy Grinin, Aleksey Ippolitov, Boris Livshits, Svetlana Skvortsova, Vadim Konoshchenok and Vadim Yermolenko.
Charges include conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling, and bank and wire fraud.
The charges follow a long-running investigation by authorities into the plot, which has been likened to The Americans, a TV drama about two Russian agents who pose as an American couple during the Cold War.
Konoshchenok has already been arrested in Estonia and Yermolenko was detained today in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Brayman was expected to surrender today.
A federal magistrate approved a search of the Brayman's home in October. The raid was carried out by FBI counterintelligence agents who searched for devices including computers and cellphones.
Sauce/more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11533907/Suburban-New-Hampshire-ran-craft-shop-wife-smuggled-nuclear-technology-Russia.html
Kind of Russia to arm Ukraine, that's the story?