Feds charge brothers in $25 million cryptocurrency heist that took 12 seconds – NBC New York

The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced the indictment of two brothers for allegedly stealing $25 million in cryptocurrency within roughly 12 seconds.

Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24, and James Pepaire-Bueno, 28, were arrested on Tuesday for charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

DOJ called it a “first-of-its kind” fraud, detailing the seconds-long scheme where the Pepaire-Bueno brothers allegedly manipulated the Ethereum blockchain to redirect pending transactions and steal $25 million.

“As we allege, the defendants’ scheme calls the very integrity of the blockchain into question,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York in a statement.

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