$3 Million Evolved Apes NFT Scam: UK Nationals Charged in Ethereum-Based Fraud

• Three UK nationals have been implicated in a significant financial scam involving the “Evolved Apes” NFT collection, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced.
• This development marks another instance of fraudulent activity in the emerging digital art and cryptocurrency markets.
• Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, labeled the operation as a pump-and-dump scheme, highlighting the major financial crimes committed.

Three UK nationals face serious charges for a $3 million crypto scam involving the “Evolved Apes” NFT collection. Discover the depth of the fraudulent scheme and its broader implications for the NFT market.

Details of the “Evolved Apes” NFT Fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged three British citizens—Mohamed-Amin Atcha, Mohamed Rilaz Waleedh, and Daood Hassan—with wire fraud and money laundering. The defendants are accused of orchestrating a $3 million scam through the sale of “Evolved Apes” NFTs, a collection of 10,000 unique Ethereum-based tokens marketed for use in an online battle royale game.

A Closer Look at the Pump-and-Dump Scheme

According to the DOJ, the scheme involved raising false hopes among investors, who were convinced to buy the NFTs based on promises of an upcoming video game. Despite collecting around 798 ETH, equivalent to $2.7 million at that time, the fraudsters never developed the game. Instead, they siphoned off the investor funds for personal use.

Social Media Influence and Deceptive Promotion

Further investigations revealed that Atcha and Waleedh aggressively marketed the project, even enlisting an unnamed social media influencer to bolster their claims. This misleading promotion played a significant role in artificially inflating the value of the NFTs, thereby facilitating the fraud.

Understanding Pump-and-Dump Strategies in Crypto

A pump-and-dump scheme involves attracting investors to buy an asset based on exaggerated or false claims. Once a significant amount of investment drives up the asset’s price, the fraudsters sell off their holdings, leaving investors with worthless tokens. The DOJ’s case documents indicate that Waleedh identified himself as the chief marketing officer for Evolved Apes, and when he accessed stuck funds from an unnamed crypto exchange, he transferred them to an address managed by Hassan.

Legal Ramifications and Industry Impact

Damian Williams emphasized that despite the novelty of digital art, conventional legal principles still apply. Making false promises for monetary gain remains unlawful. Many individuals were deceived into buying these NFTs, leading to substantial financial losses. The DOJ stressed that NFT fraud carries severe consequences, as evidenced by the potential 20-year federal prison sentence facing the accused if convicted.

Conclusion

This case underscores the persistent risks within the cryptocurrency and NFT sectors. Despite their nascent stage, these markets are increasingly attracting fraudulent activities. Investors should exercise caution and thoroughly vet opportunities to mitigate the risk of falling victim to similar schemes. The ongoing legal proceedings against Atcha, Waleedh, and Hassan serve as a stern warning to would-be fraudsters and a reminder of the regulatory mechanisms designed to protect market integrity.