Indian National Pleads Guilty to $37 Million Wire Fraud in Coinbase Website Spoofing Conspiracy

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. Chirag Tomar, 30, an Indian citizen, pleaded guilty to federal charges of stealing over $37 million through a spoofing scheme targeting the Coinbase website, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Tomar was arrested on December 20, 2023, at the Atlanta airport and remains in federal custody.

Tomar and his co-conspirators spoofed the Coinbase Pro website, tricking users into providing their login credentials and two-factor authentication codes. This allowed them to access and steal cryptocurrencies from victims’ accounts. One victim from North Carolina lost over $240,000.

Tomar controlled wallets that received stolen funds, which he converted and used to finance a lavish lifestyle, including buying luxury cars and watches. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date is yet to be set.