TechFlow News, February 10: According to an official announcement, Darren Lee (42) was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison by a U.S. federal court for his involvement in an international cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme. The defendant cut off his electronic monitoring device and fled in December 2025 and remains at large.
Lee admitted to conspiring with accomplices to contact victims via social media and dating apps, building trust before luring them into investing in a fake cryptocurrency platform, defrauding them of at least $73.6 million. Multiple law enforcement agencies—including the U.S. Secret Service—investigated the case, marking the latest success of the U.S. Department of Justice’s campaign against global fraud hubs.
Eight co-defendants have already pleaded guilty; Lee is the first defendant directly involved in receiving victim funds to be sentenced.
