The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has arrested Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill for alleged money laundering tied to their cryptocurrency mixing service.
Announced by the DOJ’s Southern District of New York, the charges stem from over $100 million in money laundering transactions facilitated by the wallet, involving more than $2 billion in unlawful activities since 2015.
Rodriguez was captured in Pennsylvania, while Hill was arrested in Portugal with extradition plans underway.
The investigation also led to the seizure of Samourai‘s web assets and a Google Play Store seizure warrant for their app. IRS-CI Special Agent Thomas Fattorusso highlighted the wallet’s unlicensed status, enabling $2 billion in unchecked transactions.
FBI Assistant Director James Smith underscored the FBI’s commitment to combating financial fraud, emphasizing the agency’s role in exposing hidden financial schemes and preventing tech-enabled illicit activities.
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