Young Scammer Swipes Millions in Crypto Heist

A young man, still living with his parents, has been caught for stealing millions in cryptocurrency.

The Scam

• Ronald Spektor, 23, allegedly tricked about 100 people into giving him their digital money.
• He posed as a representative from Coinbase, convincing victims to move funds to a wallet under his control.
• Spektor then emptied the wallets, laundered the money, and spent millions gambling.
• He even bragged online under the username @lolimfeelingevil.

The Arrest

• Arrested on December 3, Spektor pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and first-degree money laundering.
• Prosecutors revealed he admitted to losing $6 million while gambling on a Telegram channel called "Blockchain enemies."
• Authorities found texts about fleeing to Mexico, Canada, or Georgia on a new cellphone recovered via a search warrant.

The Aftermath

• Spektor had been traveling by bus before returning home and getting arrested.
• His father is under investigation due to unexplained wealth linked to the scam.
• The judge increased his bond to $2.5 million, with his next court date in January 2026.

The Bigger Picture

This case highlights:

• The growing issue of crypto scams.
• The need for better investor protection.
• The role of family members in such crimes.
• The importance of thorough investigations.