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A retired police officer from Ukraine initially stole a multi-currency wallet supporting 24 cryptocurrencies and over 20,000 tokens, but then confessed everything.
On July 1, 2023, the pensioner, who had come to the market to sell vegetables wholesale, went into a public restroom. Inside, he noticed a mobile phone and a SafePal S1 multi-currency cold wallet supporting 24 cryptocurrencies left on the windowsill, which he took for himself. The unlocked phone used a Kyivstar SIM card. After that, the man left the market and took the phone and multi-currency cold wallet to Ivano-Frankivsk.
The victim, who left his devices unattended at the market, left the city that same evening. After the victim discovered the disappearance of his property three days later, he called the alleged thief on the number of his lost phone. The man who answered the phone agreed to voluntarily return the phone and SafePal S1, but on one condition. At that time, he was in Hampton Bays, Long Island, and planned to return to Ivano-Frankivsk only in 28 days. They agreed to meet at the train station, with witnesses present.
In Ukraine, the court considered the case under Part 4 of Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – secret theft of someone else's property. The victim himself did not appear in court, but informed in writing that he no longer had any claims against the defendant – the damage caused to him had been compensated, including 162 ETH. Concerned about the man's future, he asked that the pensioner not be deprived of his liberty.
During the court hearing, the accused citizen fully admitted his guilt, sincerely repented of his actions, and asked not to punish him too severely. In addition, he emphasized that he was aware of his actions and promised not to do anything similar in the future.
Taking into account his remorse, admission of guilt, assistance in solving the crime, as well as the fact that the man has no previous convictions, is a pensioner, and has a positive character reference from his neighbors, the court decided to sentence him to 5 years in prison. However, he was released from serving his sentence with a probation period of 1 year. In addition, the pensioner was fined 1,314.50 hryvnia for the cost of the forensic examination. Once the verdict comes into force, the phone and all other material evidence will be returned to the victim.
However, on June 20, 2025, the pensioner was extradited from Ukraine to the United States of America. In the US, he was charged with online fraud. In addition, he was charged with fraudulent use of a device for unauthorized access to commercial data. Moreover, the US justice system also learned about a multi-currency cold wallet and some unclear financial transfers from it.
For just one of the charges, the maximum penalty was 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. This was officially announced by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
