The U.S. Secret Service launched an investigation into an international fraud syndicate after multiple victims reported losing money to a fraudulent investment platform, Trade Propel.
Victim 1, a Massachusetts resident, joined a Facebook group called Financial Independence Forum in February 2024, where she was promised financial freedom through high-return crypto investments. A group administrator, “Tom Sheldon Haley,” convinced her to invest 1.3 BTC (Bitcoin) via Coinbase, promising significant returns.
However, when she tried to withdraw her funds, the platform demanded additional “tax payments” before releasing her money—an indicator of a common scam tactic. Upon investigation, Special Agent Katrina Caulfield confirmed that Trade Propel was a fraudulent platform, falsely claiming to be affiliated with top hedge fund managers and financial regulatory bodies.
The Secret Service traced the stolen Bitcoin through intermediary wallets—used to obscure fraudulent transactions—until it reached its final destination: a Binance wallet registered to Nigerian passport holder Avwerosuo Omokri.
Further investigations revealed that:
The scam operation involved multiple fraudsters using fake identities on social media. Other victims lost tens of thousands of dollars to the same scheme.
The fraudsters accessed the Binance wallet from four different devices, indicating a coordinated effort.
The U.S. Secret Service has filed for forfeiture in rem of the $1.5 million, officially linking it to wire fraud and money laundering. This case highlights the increasing use of cryptocurrency in financial scams and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to track illicit digital transactions.