Ronald Spektor, a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, has been charged with 31 counts after allegedly stealing $16 million worth of cryptocurrency from approximately 100 Coinbase users through phishing and social engineering attacks.
Prosecutors in Brooklyn announced Friday that Ronald Spektor, a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, has been indicted on charges of stealing $16 million worth of cryptocurrency from approximately 100 Coinbase users. The individual, who uses the online alias “lolimfeelingevil,” is accused of being behind a sophisticated and organized phishing campaign using social engineering techniques, impersonating Coinbase representatives to persuade users to transfer cryptocurrency to accounts under his control.
According to prosecutors, Spektor manipulated victims by claiming their digital assets were at risk of being stolen by hackers, creating a sense of urgency to prompt them to act hastily. After seizing the assets , he is accused of using cryptocurrency mixing services, swap platforms, and cryptocurrency gambling websites to launder the illicit funds.
Spektor was questioned on 31 charges Friday, including first-degree theft, first-degree money laundering, and conspiracy to commit fraud. The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office investigation, which lasted about a year, seized approximately $105,000 in cash and roughly $400,000 in digital assets, with efforts underway to recover further stolen assets.
Digital footprints and collaborative investigations
Prosecutors said Spektor openly boasted about the thefts in a Telegram channel called “Blockchain enemies.” In recovered messages, Spektor allegedly admitted to losing $6 million worth of cryptocurrency due to gambling, demonstrating a vicious cycle of crime and gambling addiction.
Coinbase stated in a blog post that it worked closely with the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and its Virtual Currency Unit. The exchange assisted in identifying Spektor and the victim, Chia relevant on-chain activity, and helped trace the stolen funds. One victim contacted anonymous blockchain detective ZachXBT, who published an investigation into the scammer last year, after being defrauded of $6 million.
This case comes as Coinbase faces backlash following a data leak affecting nearly 70,000 users that was announced in May, with estimated losses of $400 million. The exchange said it acted quickly, reimbursing affected users for social engineering models that used stolen information, and tightening vendor controls and internal oversight.
According to authorities, Spektor lives with his father in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The judge set bail at $500,000 and did not allow Spektor's father to post it, citing the inability to determine the source of the money.
