Fintech Giant Icapital Secures Record 820 Million Funding Round Valuing It At 75 Billion
In a significant development for the fintech industry, Alt Investment Platform iCapital has raised …
10. July 2025
Cryptocurrency Thiefs Sentence Doubled To 12 Years
Nicholas Truglia, the mastermind behind a cryptocurrency scheme that stole $22 million from investors, has had his prison sentence increased from 18 months to 12 years. The drastic change in his sentence comes after Truglia failed to pay back nearly $20.4 million in restitution as he had promised.
The case against Truglia began in 2020, when law enforcement officials discovered that a group of individuals had orchestrated a complex scheme to steal cryptocurrency from various investors. At the center of the scheme was Truglia, who used his charm and reputation to convince others to invest their money with him. Unbeknownst to these investors, however, Truglia was using their funds to further his own financial interests.
Truglia would promise potential investors returns on their investments that were significantly higher than what they could earn through legitimate means. He would also use fake documents and other tools to make it appear as though the investments were legitimate. In reality, however, Truglia was using these funds to purchase cryptocurrency himself, which he would then sell for a profit.
The scheme eventually came to an end when authorities began investigating Truglia’s activities. As part of his investigation, they discovered that Truglia had indeed stolen $22 million in cryptocurrency from various investors. The total amount recovered was significantly lower than the original amount stolen, with estimates suggesting that only around $1.7 million was recovered.
Truglia was eventually charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other related crimes. He pleaded guilty to these charges in 2022 and was initially sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the scheme. However, as the case progressed, it became clear that Truglia had failed to meet his end of the bargain.
As part of his plea agreement, Truglia promised to pay back nearly $20.4 million in restitution to the victims of his scheme. Unfortunately, he has thus far made only a handful of small payments towards his debt over the past two years.
US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein discovered this lack of progress during a recent hearing in the case and subsequently increased Truglia’s sentence from 18 months to 12 years. The increase sends a clear message that failing to meet one’s obligations is not acceptable, especially when it comes to matters of this magnitude.
The case against Truglia serves as a reminder that the law will hold individuals accountable for their actions, even if those actions were committed years ago. The scheme also highlights the need for greater protections for cryptocurrency investors. As more and more people invest in cryptocurrencies, there is a growing risk that scammers like Truglia will take advantage of these individuals.
To mitigate this risk, potential cryptocurrency investors should do their due diligence before investing any money. This can include researching investment opportunities thoroughly, checking to see if they are registered with relevant regulatory bodies, and seeking advice from financial professionals.
There is also a growing need for greater regulation of the cryptocurrency industry as a whole. Many countries have already taken steps to regulate this industry, but more needs to be done to ensure that consumers are protected from scams like the one perpetrated by Truglia.
The impact of Truglia’s scheme cannot be overstated. The loss of $22 million in cryptocurrency has caused significant harm to many individuals who were victims of his scheme. While it is impossible to put a price on the suffering and financial losses incurred by these individuals, it is clear that Truglia’s actions have had severe consequences.
The loss of trust among investors in this industry will likely take time to repair, but it is essential that regulators and law enforcement officials work to restore confidence in the industry. Ultimately, the case against Nicholas Truglia serves as a reminder that the law will hold individuals accountable for their actions, even if those actions were committed years ago.
The future of the cryptocurrency industry looks bright, but it requires a concerted effort to address the risks associated with it. By taking steps to regulate the industry, protect consumers, and hold individuals accountable for their actions, we can ensure that this industry continues to grow and thrive in a fair and transparent manner.