The U.S. government has arrested and charged the creator of the “Mutant Ape Planet” Non-Fungible Token (NFT) on suspicion of deceiving cryptocurrency investors. The Department of Justice (DOJ) explained that the “buyer was ‘pulled the rug’,” adding that millions of dollars in cryptocurrency were diverted for his NFT creator’s personal gain. .
DOJ takes action against NFT lag-pull scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that Aurelien Michel has been charged with “defrauding purchasers of the Mutant Ape Planet NFT, a type of digital asset, out of more than $2.9 million in cryptocurrency.”
Defendant is a French national residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was arrested Wednesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Mutant Ape Planet (MAP) NFTs were marketed and sold with false promises of numerous rewards and benefits, including exclusive opportunities for additional investments, giveaways, merchandise, and other rewards.
After selling the NFT, the buyer was “pulled the rug”… Millions of NFT buyers’ cryptocurrencies were diverted for Michelle’s personal gain.
Mutant Ape Planet is a collection of 6,799 unique mutant apes unrelated to another monkey-themed NFT set, the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club.
Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, said:
DOJ said: too toxic
Mutant Ape Planet NFT developers “funded a community wallet for marketing, pledging to provide buyers with tokens with raffles, giveaways, airdrops, and staking functionality,” DOJ said. said.
Buyers of Mutant Ape Planet NFTs did not receive the above promised benefits.
What do you think about this case? Let us know in the comments section below.
image credit: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. This is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any product, service or company. Bitcoin.com It is not intended to provide investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR THE AUTHOR WILL BE LIABLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS ARISING OR ALLEGED TO OCCUR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF OR RELIANCE ON ANY CONTENT, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS ARTICLE. We are not responsible.
