暗網比特幣「混合器」業者被判處 3 年監禁，並沒收超過 4 億美元資產

拉里·迪恩·哈蒙（Larry Dean Harmon）的行動在網路毒販中非常受歡迎，他們利用他的服務洗錢。

Larry Dean Harmon, a 41-year-old Akron resident, has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to forfeit over $400 million in assets for operating a darknet-based 'mixer' called Helix, which laundered his customers' Bitcoins. His operation was reportedly very popular among online drug dealers, who used his services to wash their money.

41 歲的阿克倫居民拉里·迪恩·哈蒙(Larry Dean Harmon) 因經營名為Helix 的暗網“混合器”，對其客戶的比特幣進行洗錢，被判處三年監禁，並被命令沒收超過4 億美元的資產。據報道，他的業務在網路毒販中非常受歡迎，他們利用他的服務洗錢。

According to a press release from the Justice Department, Helix processed approximately 354,468 bitcoins during its operations, totaling $311,145,854 when these transactions occurred. The court cases also mention that this operation consists of funds coming through the darknet drug markets. In return, Harmon retained a percentage from the transaction as a commission.

根據司法部的新聞稿，Helix 在其運營過程中處理了大約 354,468 枚比特幣，這些交易發生時總計 311,145,854 美元。法庭案件也提到，這項行動包括來自暗網毒品市場的資金。作為回報，哈蒙從交易中保留了一定比例作為佣金。

Harmon did this by developing an API that integrated the darknet drug marketplace with Helix to enable direct Bitcoin withdrawals. Investigators were able to trace this transaction, which involved tens of millions of dollars. Helix operated this laundering system from 2014 to 2017. Only on August 18, 2021, did Harmon plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. However, Harmon was only recently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell of the Federal court in Washington, DC.

Harmon 透過開發一個 API 來實現這一目標，該 API 將暗網毒品市場與 Helix 集成，以實現直接比特幣提款。調查人員追蹤到了這筆涉及數千萬美元的交易。 Helix從2014年到2017年經營這個洗錢系統。然而，哈蒙最近才被華盛頓特區聯邦法院的美國地區法官貝麗爾·豪威爾(Beryl Howell)判刑。

This investigation included several personnel and investigation authorities, notably those from the Justice Department's Criminal Division, the IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI's Cyber Division.

這項調查包括多名人員和調查機構，特別是來自司法部刑事部門、國稅局刑事調查部門和聯邦調查局網路部門的人員。

As a result, he was awarded a three-year prison sentence with three years of supervised release and forfeiture of multiple items, including $311,145,854, along with cryptocurrencies, real estate, and bank assets totaling over $400 million. As large as it seems, his sentencing was lenient as he cooperated with the investigations and accepted responsibility by pleading guilty.

結果，他被判處三年監禁、三年監管釋放，並沒收多件物品，包括 311,145,854 美元，以及總計超過 4 億美元的加密貨幣、房地產和銀行資產。雖然案情看似嚴重，但由於他配合調查並認罪認罪，量刑較輕。

In other news, Bitcoin prices have soared to over US$84,000 following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. Bitcoins have been used by many such illicit operations globally but have also been caught and seized eventually. Successful cases like this might deter many from using the crypto asset for money laundering or as a means to deal with drugs and any illicit substance or activities.

其他消息方面，隨著唐納德·川普 (Donald Trump) 在 2024 年美國總統大選中獲勝，比特幣價格已飆升至 84,000 美元以上。比特幣已被全球許多此類非法活動所使用，但最終也被抓獲和扣押。像這樣的成功案例可能會阻止許多人使用加密資產進行洗錢或作為處理毒品和任何非法物質或活動的手段。