The FBI is planning to utilize non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a means to return $1.14 million to individuals who fell victim to a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme initiated by Austin Michael Taylor, also known in the digital realm as DNPThree. This scheme revolved around a project dubbed CluCoin, which was launched in 2021 with promises that it had a charitable focus. Taylor pleaded guilty to wire fraud on August 15, confirming that he misappropriated funds intended for CluCoin to fuel his online gambling addiction.
The innovative approach of using NFTs to notify identified victims of the restitution marks a significant step in how law enforcement engages with digital technologies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has encouraged those who believe they may have been victimized by Taylor’s actions to come forward with any relevant information to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Taylor raised funds through an initial coin offering (ICO) for CluCoin on May 19, 2021, before pivoting his attention towards creating NFTs, developing video games, and even proposing a metaverse platform. To promote these initiatives, he organized a conference titled “NFTCon: Into the Metaverse” in Miami in April 2022. However, after the event, Taylor began transferring substantial amounts from a crypto wallet that held CluCoin investor funds to his personal accounts, ultimately diverting $1.14 million to online casinos.
In January 2023, Taylor expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging his gambling addiction and the misuse of investor money. Now facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, he has agreed to repay the stolen funds to the victims. Sentencing is scheduled for October 31. The FBI has recently issued alerts regarding the increased presence of scams in the crypto sector, warning users to be cautious of fraudulent activities disguised as legitimate opportunities.
