Seller of ‘Mutant Ape Planet’ NFTs allegedly duped victims out of $2.9 million in crypto

Aurelien Michel (24), who is currently living in The falsely claimed buyers of the United Arab Emirates of The NFTs Breon Peace, US Attorney, claimed that the exclusive benefits and rewards he received were meant to drive demand for these unique images and improve their value. in Brooklyn, New York in On Thursday, a statement will be made.

“After sending their cryptocurrency and obtaining the NFT, purchasers received nothing while their cryptocurrency was diverted from the Mutant Ape Planet NFT project to cryptocurrency wallets controlled” Michel, Peace is said.

Michel wanted to profit of NFT with a broader theme of apes in Offering 9,999 images in 2022 of Mutant apes which were first created in February 2004 There are NFTsBased on their price, each ethereum token was approximately $468 when it launched. of The Ether was at that time, US stated.

Michel was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Michel is due to appear in his first court appearance on Thursday before US Magistrate James R. Cho. His defense lawyer wasn’t listed on the docket.

Michel participated in social media chats with potential and current NFT buyers. allegedly Recognized as a fraud “rug pull” In his scheme to evade responsibility, he tried to blame NFT for his actions and claimed: “We never intended to rug but the community went way too toxic,” According to the prosecutors.

“Michel can no longer blame the NFT community for his criminal behavior,” Thomas Fattorusso, acting special agent-inCharge from the Internal Revenue Service -Criminal Investigation in The statement. “His arrest means he will now face the consequences of his own actions.”