Area man arrested, charged in alleged cryptocurrency scam

ST. PETERSBURG — The Florida Office of Financial Regulation has arrested and charged Anthony Greene, a St. Petersburg resident, for his alleged role in an alleged cryptocurrency investment scam. 

Greene, according to a press release, purportedly told investors he made millions of dollars in profits from his cryptocurrency trading efforts on their behalf, and that he had made cryptocurrency payouts. However, OFR’s investigation revealed he used most of his victims’ money for his personal use, and no cryptocurrency assets were sent to investors. 

“Every day, scam artists are coming up with new and creative ways to defraud consumers out of their hard-earned money,” OFR CFO Jimmy Patronis states in the release. “This alleged cryptocurrency scheme is no different and we must work together to inform and educate Floridians on the latest scam tactics before they fall victim. Florida currently ranks second in fraud reports nationwide and it’s estimated that fraud losses cost Floridians $89.6 million last year alone.”

The Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case against Greene. 

“Thank you to our investigators for their tireless efforts in stopping this investment scam,” OFR Commissioner Russell Weigel III states in the release. “The Florida Office of Financial Regulation remains committed to protecting Floridians from financial scammers and will continue to work to bring these criminals to justice.”