BROOKLYN — A 23-year-old Brooklyn man has been charged with allegedly stealing approximately $15 million in cryptocurrency by impersonating a customer service representative for the popular trading platform Coinbase, according to a report by Business Insider.
Authorities say Ronald Spektor contacted nearly 100 cryptocurrency users across the United States between April 2023 and December 2025. Prosecutors allege he falsely warned victims that their Coinbase accounts had been compromised and urged them to take immediate action to secure their funds.
As part of the alleged scheme, Spektor directed victims to transfer their digital assets into online cryptocurrency wallets he controlled. Investigators say victims were also tricked into providing their private “seed phrases,” which allowed Spektor to gain full access to the wallets and withdraw funds without authorization.
Spektor is currently being held at Rikers Island after his arrest. Bail was set at $500,000 cash or a $1 million bond while he awaits the unsealing of his indictment.
He faces multiple felony charges, including grand larceny and money laundering, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Additional charges include possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of personally identifying information.
