Indian Authorities Freeze $4.8 Million in Coinbase User Crypto Scam Case

BlockBeats News, August 6th, the Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into a large-scale cryptocurrency fraud case, freezing assets worth 428 million Indian Rupees (approximately $4.8 million) belonging to the alleged fraudster Chirag Tomar, his relatives, and associated entities. This enforcement action was conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and involved the seizure of 18 immovable properties in Delhi and multiple bank accounts.

Chirag Tomar is a key orchestrator of a cryptocurrency phishing scam that targeted Coinbase users from mid-2021 to late 2023. The scam involved creating a fake website or using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to mimic the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase in order to deceive users into logging in, ultimately leading to the theft of approximately $20 million worth of cryptocurrency.