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Fake Uber Driver Arrested in $300,000 Cryptocurrency Theft Scheme in Arizona
A man from Scottsdale, Arizona has been arrested for allegedly posing as a legitimate Uber driver and stealing over $300,000 worth of cryptocurrency from two separate victims. The suspect, Nuruhussein Hussein, faces multiple charges including theft, fraud, and money laundering.
According to authorities, the scheme began when Hussein approached his first victim outside the W Hotel in Scottsdale, where he pretended to be their requested Uber driver. He gained the victim’s trust by addressing them by name and then asked to borrow their phone, claiming it was a courtesy to troubleshoot any issues with the ride-hailing app. Once he had access to the phone, Hussein allegedly transferred cryptocurrency from the victim’s Coinbase account.
The suspect repeated this scheme against a second victim in October 2023, using similar tactics to gain trust and eventually steal funds. In both cases, Hussein used threats to maintain control over his victims when they began to get suspicious about their missing crypto funds.
This latest incident highlights the growing trend of offline cryptocurrency theft, which has seen an increase from 17 documented cases in 2023 to 19 in the past year, according to GitHub data. The method used by Hussein, involving impersonation and threats, is also consistent with patterns seen in other recent offline crypto theft incidents.
The case serves as a reminder for cryptocurrency users to be cautious of their surroundings when using ride-hailing services or engaging in digital currency transactions. It also emphasizes the importance of authorities collaborating to combat these hybrid crimes that bridge traditional theft methods and digital assets.
Local police and federal agencies have launched an investigation into Hussein’s activities, with officials urging anyone who has fallen victim to his scheme to come forward.
Source: blockonomi.com
