A victim of a £7million cryptocurrency fraud has vowed to fly 3000 miles to Scotland to help bring the prime suspect to trial.
Robert Barr, 25, is charged with scamming digital cash from millionaire financier Reggie Middleton five years ago while living with his mum at the family home in Ayrshire.
The 54-year-old New York-based cryptocurrency dealer said the theft in 2017 set off a chain of events which led to his financial ruin and he is only now getting back on his feet.
Middleton told the Sunday Mail that the missing digital cash – $8.5million – can be sold on for profit just like any other stolen money.
It will also have increased in value in the last five years, making his loss even greater.
Last month we revealed how US authorities are seeking Barr’s extradition to stand trial in Georgia.
Middleton said: “I was shocked by what happened to me. I do not know if Mr Barr stole the money or not – I just want it back.
“I am prepared to go to Georgia or even Scotland to get justice and see this through.”
Cryptocurrency is a form of virtual money that can be used in financial transactions over the internet.
The Barr case was investigated by the FBI, New York Police Department and US Department of Homeland Security.
He is alleged to have transferred the stolen digital money into his own cryptocurrency account.
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