An investigation by the FBI has led to an arrest of a man from Wellington, New Zealand, in connection with a global cryptocurrency fraud operation that is alleged to have stolen over $265 million. The suspect is among 13 individuals charged after authorities executed search warrants across Auckland, Wellington, and California over the past three days. These charges stem from allegations that members of an organized criminal group manipulated seven victims to obtain substantial cryptocurrency amounts, which were then laundered via various platforms between March and August 2024. The US Department of Justice has formally indicted the suspect for racketeering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering under federal law.