Tag: investigators

The post Russian Crypto Scammer Roman Novak Found Murdered com. Crime When Roman Novak, a Russian entrepreneur once convicted of defrauding investors in elaborate crypto schemes, left for a meeting outside Dubai in early October, few imagined it would be his last. Key Takeaways Russian crypto figure Roman Novak and his wife were murdered in Dubai following a ransom attempt tied to crypto wallets. Novak had previously been convicted of large-scale fraud in Russia before moving to the UAE. Seven suspects from Russia and Kazakhstan have been arrested in connection with the killings. Hours later, Novak and his wife Anna had disappeared and within weeks, their bodies would be discovered mutilated near the border with Oman. The grim discovery capped what authorities now describe as a failed ransom operation linked to Novak’s hidden digital wealth. From Prison to Dubai’s Crypto Hype Before his life in Dubai’s glittering financial world, Novak had already made enemies. Known in St. Petersburg’s investment circles as a smooth-talking crypto evangelist, he had swindled millions through false promises and flashy projects. His conviction in 2020 for large-scale fraud landed him a six-year sentence but after serving only part of it, he resurfaced in the Emirates, rebranding himself as a visionary founder behind a new app called Fintopio. The platform promised innovation. Instead, it attracted suspicion and, according to investigators, possibly reconnected Novak with the same underworld networks that once bankrolled his scams. The Setup The trip that ended in tragedy was supposed to secure fresh investors. Novak had arranged a private meeting near Hatta, a desert town far from Dubai’s skyscrapers. He and Anna reportedly changed vehicles before arriving at the meeting point a detail that now haunts the case. Their driver returned to the city alone. Days later, as calls went unanswered, Novak’s family in Russia raised the alarm. Investigators soon.