Petition calls for crypto mining boss to be extradited

Chris Lee

A leading cryptocurrency firm boss accused of the theft of investor deposits could face deportation after pressure was placed on the US to extradite him – if he is even in the country.

Le Minh Tam, CEO of Sky Mining, is accused of stealing more than USD $30m in deposits made to a cryptocurrency mine business.

It is understood that law enforcement authorities in Vietnam have been provided with a three-figure number of allegations about the activities of both Tam and Sky Mining.

The alleged crime is believed to have revolved around the pledge of lucrative payments made to those who purchased the mining rigs.

The prices of the kit sold by Tam and his firm were as low as $500 but as high as $5,000, meaning some of those who were allegedly scammed lost large amounts of money.

The payment levels which Sky Mining is suspected of offering those who placed their cash in the scheme verged on the ridiculous. One offered profit level is believed to have been as high as 300%.

Upon finding that they were unable to get in touch with the firm’s boss, those who had pledged cash visited the headquarters of Sky Mining to meet him in person. It was at this stage that it became clear the firm was no longer operating.

According to industry sources, Tam is alleged to have told employees at Sky Mining to take away key pieces of equipment which enabled them to do their mining work.

It is currently unclear where Le Minh Tam is located and he is not believed to have told Sky Mining’s shareholders where he was going.

At the time of writing, a petition to have him extradited back to Vietnam published on the website Change.org had over 1,200 signatures.

The petition suggested that he may have property interests in the US, which is why the American government may soon start to face questions over whether or not he will be extradited if he is indeed found to be living in the country.

The content on the Change.org petition paints a grim picture of the experiences that the alleged victims are believed to have gone through.

Referring to those behind Sky Mining, the petition’s founders write: “They set up the company Sky Mining, invited 5,000 persons with each investment package from $500 to $5,000. They used money to buy machine to get Bitcoin and promised to share the profit with investors.”

“But finally, they escaped with all money, estimated $36m. Their Victims are not only in Vietnam but also in Japan, Africa. Some of the victims borrow money or sold estate to invest, so now lose everything and someone had killed themselves.”

Some of the alleged victims also signed the deportation petition alongside other interested parties.

“I’m a victim of this swindler,” wrote one signatory.

“This is an act of scam, robbery, this man is a criminal and needs to be exposed and exported for the sake of the [United States] and Vietnam,” wrote another.


Chris Lee

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