Imperial Valley News Center
Justice Department Investigation Leads to Shutdown of Largest Online Darknet Marketplace
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- Written by Imperial Valley News
San Francisco, California - The Justice Department announced the seizure of Hydra Market (Hydra), the world’s largest and longest-running darknet market. In 2021, Hydra accounted for an estimated 80% of all darknet market-related cryptocurrency transactions, and since 2015, the marketplace has received approximately $5.2 billion in cryptocurrency.
Two Individuals Sentenced for Conspiracy and Sale of Fraudulent Identity Documents on the Darknet
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- Written by Justice Department
Sacramento, California - Two New York residents were sentenced for selling and conspiring to transfer false identification documents on the darknet marketplaces AlphaBay Market and Dream Market. According to court documents, from at least from May 2015 until October 2017, defendants Andrea Alessandrini and Evan Hayes sold New York state driver’s licenses, fraudulent identity information for individuals (including fake social security numbers and birthdates), credit card holograms, and ATM skimmers on the darknet, all in exchange for cryptocurrency.
TracFone Wireless to Pay $13.4 Million to Settle False Claims Relating to FCC’s Lifeline Program
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- Written by IVN
Miami, Florida - TracFone Wireless Inc. (TracFone) has agreed to pay $13.4 million as part of a civil settlement to resolve allegations that TracFone violated the False Claims Act by signing up more than 175,000 ineligible customers in connection with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline Program (Lifeline).
$90 Million Yacht of Sanctioned Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg Seized by Spain at Request of United States
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- Written by IVN
Washington, DC - Spanish law enforcement last week executed a Spanish court order freezing the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (the Tango), a 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Spanish authorities acted pursuant to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice for assistance following the issuance of a seizure warrant, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which alleged that the Tango was subject to forfeiture based on violation of U.S. bank fraud, money laundering, and sanction statutes. Separately, seizure warrants obtained in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia target approximately $625,000 associated with sanctioned parties held at nine U.S. financial institutions. Those seizures are based on sanctions violations by several Russian specially designated nationals.
Preferred Family Healthcare Charity Pays Over $8 Million to Resolve Federal Embezzlement, Bribery Investigation
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- Written by Imperial Valley News
Springfield, Missouri - Preferred Family Healthcare, a Springfield, Missouri-based non-profit, will pay more than $8 million in forfeiture and restitution to the federal government and the state of Arkansas under the terms of a non-prosecution agreement announced Thursday, which acknowledges the criminal conduct of its former officers and employees.
MS-13 Leader Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Murder
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- Written by IVN
Baltimore, Maryland - A New Jersey man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for murder in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, and heroin; and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
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