The creator of the NFT MUTANT APE Planet project was arrested on charges of deception of investors - Bits Media

Law enforcement agencies arrested the creator of the NFT MUTANT APE PLANET ORELET ORELEN Michel on charges of collecting tokens fraud in the amount $2.9 million.

As indicated on the website of the US Department of Justice, France citizen Orlyan Michelle (Aurelien Michel), living in United Arab Emirates, He was arrested at John Kennedy airport in New York. The Ministry of Justice claims, that when selling incorrect Mutant Ape Planet tokens, Michelle made false statements about numerous rewards, distributions and staiking tokens, as well as about exclusive advantages, available for owners of these NFT.

Michel managed to attract funds in the amount of about $3 million. The prosecutor's office claims, that after the sale of crypto assets, the founder of the project did not fulfill his obligations to investors. Moreover, He abducted their assets through a liquidity output scheme (rug pull). Later on social networks, Michelle wrote, that I never intended to organize a fraudulent scheme, However, the community of the project "has become too toxic".

“Michelle will no longer be able to accuse the NFT community of its criminal behavior. His arrest means, what he will be responsible for fraudulent actions ", - said Thomas Fattusso (Thomas Fattorusso), Acting special agent of the US Tax Service (IRS).

Recall, that last year US law enforcement officers detained two people, suspects of creating a fraudulent NFT project from Frosties, who managed to attract from investors $1.1 million. According to analysts Privacyhq, 90% Collectible tokens owners faced fraud.