In a U.S. federal court, a Saipan woman has been sentenced to 71 months over a bitcoin fraud scheme targeting elders across different jurisdictions. The case highlights tightening regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency fraud, given the high digital asset crime losses recorded by the FBI this year.
Court Sentences Saipan Woman for Bitcoin Scheme
Sze Man Yu Inos, aged 30, also known as “Yuki,” was sentenced for wire fraud after running the bitcoin fraud scheme from November 2020 until January 2022. Prosecutors claimed she manipulated elderly women on Saipan and Guam by falsely claiming she was from a rich Chinese family and was successful in bitcoin investments.
She gained their trust by referring to them as “You are like my mom” and then encouraged them to invest in bitcoin through false statements. The bitcoin fraud scheme was extended to Washington and California.
Also Read: Lavish $263 Million Crypto Fraud Sends Californian Man to Harsh Prison Sentence
Financial Penalties and Restitution Orders
The court also ordered 769,355 dollars to be paid in restitution to the victims and entered a criminal forfeiture money judgment for the sum of 684,848 dollars, as well as assessing a 200-dollar special assessment fee. These financial penalties aim to compensate victims and deter future cryptocurrency fraud. The judgment reflects increasing judicial efforts to enforce accountability in bitcoin-related financial crimes.
U.S. Attorney Anderson said: Defendants like her take advantage of people’s trust with affinity fraud schemes and end up stealing millions of dollars, and while this case was pending, she continued her scams.
Also Read: Department of Justice Opens Compensation for Victims of $4B OneCoin Crypto Fraud
Bitcoin Fraud Losses Drive Stronger Regulatory Oversight
This falls in line with general trends in blockchain security and regulation. Last year saw a record $11.3 billion in cryptocurrency-related fraud losses, accounting for over half of the FBI’s recorded $20.9 billion loss in internet crime. Therefore, law enforcement is working harder to deal with bitcoin fraud and other crypto scams, increase customer protection, and regulate bitcoin and the wider cryptocurrency markets.
Also Read: Market Manipulation Crackdown: 10 Crypto Fraudsters Busted in Massive Scheme
