The domain BTC-E.com has been seized by the U.S. Federal Government, following the arrest of the marketplace’s Russian founder, in Greece.
A new lander image appears at BTC-E.com, stating the following:
Pursuant to a seizure warrant issued by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey under the authority of 18 U.S.C., 981, 1956(a)(1)(A), and 1960 – as part of a joint law enforcement operation and action by:
- U.S. Department of Justice – Northern District of California and Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section
- Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Secret Service
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General
That pretty much means that the Federal authorities listed above are most likely in control of the assets of BTC-E, including Bitcoins.
Russian national, Alexander Vinnik, has been charged with 21 counts of fraud and money laundering for his role as a BTC-E operator.
