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South Africa Calls for Sudanese-owned, Sudanese-led Inclusive Dialogue

By
TheCrimeScene
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South Africa has noted with serious concern the escalation of fighting in the Republic of the Sudan. The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in the significant loss of civilian lives, the destruction of property, especially critical infrastructure, and the internal and external displacement of the Sudanese population.

Since 15 April 2023, the innocent people of Sudan have been subjected to suffering in this crossfire, with the gravity of the situation becoming more dire.

The latest brutal attack on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged for over 500 days, is yet another example of the many atrocities the civilians have had to endure. It has been reported that heavy artillery was fired at densely packed neighbourhoods, including the central market and Awlad al-Reef, claiming around 24 lives, leaving 55 others wounded, among the wounded are five women.

South Africa stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan, especially women and children, who continue to face the plight of this war. South Africa reiterates its call for the immediate end to the conflict and resumption of genuine and sincere talks to bring an end to the conflict.

This prolonged conflict poses a grave threat to the stability and economic prosperity of Sudan and the broader region, as its spillover effects, including the humanitarian and refugee crisis have worsened.

We call on all the parties to the conflict to respect international law, including international humanitarian law that seeks to protect civilians, especially women and children. In this regard, we also urge the parties to allow access for the distribution of humanitarian assistance as well as the provision of critical medical support to those in desperate need, notably in El Fasher.

There can be no military solution to the conflict, which must be resolved in a peaceful manner on the basis of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led inclusive dialogue, paving the way to a peaceful transition process where a civilian-led, democratic government can steer the country towards harmony, reconciliation and redevelopment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently reiterated in his engagements with the warring parties in Sudan, encouraging the parties to return to the negotiation table.

It cannot be emphasised enough that there is an urgent need to put an end to this conflict, where indiscriminate human rights abuses are committed daily. Despite the numerous mediation efforts, which have yet to yield a peaceful resolution, the role of multilateral and regional bodies and other initiatives remains relevant, and the work must continue ceaselessly to this end.

South Africa once again pledges its full support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Mr Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote the peaceful end to the conflict through mediation and dialogue, that will ensure that the people of Sudan can enjoy sustainable peace and freedom in this lifetime.

AUC Chairperson Welcomes New Roadmap for Libya

By
Fejiro Anokwuru
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The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, welcomes the United Nations’ new Roadmap for Libya, presented to the UN Security Council by Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya on August 21, 2025.

The Roadmap aims to put an end to the Libyan crisis through a political process based on the unification of institutions, the organisation of elections, and the launch of an inclusive and structured dialogue.

In this context, the chairperson urges all Libyan stakeholders to fully engage in good faith in the process of national dialogue and reconciliation towards peaceful resolution of the conflict.

In addition, he emphasizes the importance of coordination between all regional, continental and international actors to ensure the necessary political support to implement the new Roadmap.

The chairperson expresses the African Union’s commitment to its inherent responsibilities in supporting and accompanying Libyans in their quest for silencing the guns, lasting peace and resuming dialogue, while commending the continuous vital efforts of the AU High Level Committee on Libya, chaired by Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of Congo.

Finally, the chairperson of the AU Commission reaffirms total support for the implementation of the UN Roadmap in the fulfillment of the restoration of peace and stability in Libya.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Launch Global Campaign Offering Hope, Solutions for Ending War

By
TheCrimeScene
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0

More than nine million volunteers will launch a global campaign in September that will inform the public about a Bible-based solution to end all wars.

As terror and bloodshed continue to ravage the world scene, most notably in large-scale conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and Sudan’s civil war, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide will distribute The Watchtower No.1 2025 edition, titled “An End to War –– How?”

“We live in a time where violent conflicts, even large-scale wars, are surging. We believe that this magazine will bring hope not only to the millions of people suffering from the violence that war inflicts but also to anyone who is searching for peace in their life,” said Olusegun Eroyemi, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria.

The concise but comprehensive magazine covers topics, such as:
⦁ Why War and Violent Conflict Continue
⦁ How War and Violent Conflict Will End
⦁ Finding Peace Despite War and Violent Conflict

Perhaps the most intriguing subject covered in the magazine is the comforting answer to the question: Will we ever see a time when there is no more war?

“The solution, which goes back to a simple statement that Jesus’ made in the familiar model prayer, sometimes called the Lord’s Prayer, will especially resonate with those who have been waiting for governments to bring about change,” Eroyemi said.

During the month-long campaign, the Witnesses will also invite community members to a special talk with the same theme as the featured magazine. The 30-minute discourse is open to the public and will be presented worldwide at their places of worship, called Kingdom Halls. No collections are ever taken at any of the non-profit’s events.

“We invite all to attend,” Eroyemi said. “For many, what they will hear will not only be comforting but also life-changing.”

To find a Kingdom Hall near you to attend the special talk titled “An End to War –– How?” visit jw.org > About Us > Meetings

The Watchtower No.1 2025, “An End to War –– How?” will also be featured and available for digital download on jw.org in the month of September.

All content on jw.org is free to access and a login is not required.

Oluwasegun Baiyewu Convicted for Laundering Funds from Fraud Schemes to Nigerian Transnational Organised Crime Groups

By
Olaoluwa Fabuyi
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A federal jury in Puerto Rico yesterday convicted a fifth individual for conspiracy to launder funds in connection with multiple wide-ranging wire, mail, and access device fraud schemes.

Oluwasegun Baiyewu was convicted of a money laundering conspiracy following a 22-day trial in San Juan.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Oluwaseun Adelekan 40, and Temitope Omotayo, 40, both of Staten Island, New York; Ifeoluwa Dudubo, 37, of Austin, Texas; and Temitope Suleiman, 37, and Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 37, of Richmond, Texas, conspired to launder funds from different international organized fraud schemes, including romance, pandemic relief unemployment insurance fraud, and business email compromise scams.

These fraud schemes disproportionately impacted elderly or otherwise vulnerable Americans.

The Department of Justice will continue to identify and prosecute the fraudsters who design complex fraud schemes and the launderers that receive victim proceeds and make sure the crimes are profitable, said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“The defendant participated in a money laundering scheme turning illicit gains into a facade of legitimacy, especially those involving seniors or other vulnerable people, and businesses in Puerto Rico and the United States,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico.

The criminals involved in this scheme thought there was safety in numbers, but the U.S. Postal Inspection Service “doesn’t stop until everyone involved in schemes that target older Americans is brought to justice”, said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division.

Larco-Ward said, “The defendants lined their pockets by defrauding vulnerable members of our society through various schemes designed to entice their victims to give up their hard-earned cash. This conviction is proof that anyone involved with transnational crimes will be tracked down, exposed, and made to face the consequences.”

A superseding indictment against the five defendants alleged that in 2020 and 2021, the defendants worked together to profit from efforts to “clean” money from scams involving victims, many of whom were older adults, in California, Illinois, Washington, and Nevada, and business email compromise schemes affecting victim companies in Puerto Rico and Missouri.

After receiving the proceeds, according to the indictment, the defendants or their co-conspirators conducted hundreds of transactions with the funds to, among other things, purchase used cars that were shipped overseas to Nigeria.

The defendants will be sentenced before the Honorable Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach for the District of Puerto Rico.

CAR Ratifies Maputo Protocol, Becoming 46th Member State Committing to Women’s Rights

By
Fejiro Anokwuru
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In a commendable move to advance gender equality, the Central African Republic has officially ratified the Maputo Protocol, becoming the 46th African Union Member State to join this groundbreaking African treaty to protect and promote the rights of women and girls.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, commonly known as the Maputo Protocol, is one of the world’s most comprehensive legal frameworks on women’s rights.

Adopted in 2003 by the African Union, this treaty outlines clear obligations for African governments to end violence against women and girls, ensure reproductive rights, eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, and promote equal participation in economic, political, and public life.

The human rights situation in CAR has been dire, with women and girls disproportionately affected by conflict, insecurity, and weak governance. Communities continue to face cycles of violence, displacement, and widespread sexual and gender-based abuse, often leaving survivors without justice or support.

By formally depositing the Protocol’s instruments of ratification on 29 July 2025, CAR’s government has made a powerful public commitment to ending legal discrimination against women and girls.

This milestone reflects a clear intent to enhance the country’s legal protections, enact and fully implement laws and policies to uphold human rights, and forge a future where women and girls can live safely, freely, and with equal opportunity.

The Maputo Protocol embodies the power of partnership

CAR’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol is a potent demonstration of progress in advancing gender equality by aligning with the AU’s collective vision of equality, justice, and dignity for all. Across the continent, the Protocol has enabled African countries to achieve meritorious legal and policy advances, with governments strengthening protections for women and girls in partnership with regional and grassroots organisations and activists driving bold, transformative change.

CAR’s laudable move forward marks the culmination of sustained and productive endeavours by civil society actors and regional partners. Central to this accomplishment has been the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR), a network of over 70 women’s rights organisations based in 33 African countries dedicated to advocating for women’s and girls’ rights by advocating for the universal ratification of the Protocol.

On June 25, 2025, a ratification mission to CAR was spearheaded by two SOAWR Coalition members, led by Jacques Bandji from Women’s Counselling and Information Centre (WCIC), based in Cameroon, and Dr. Tom Mulisa from the Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD), based in Rwanda.

The CAR government made a welcome commitment to ratify the Protocol at this high-level gathering. Attended by over 40 participants – incorporating civil society, development partners, and government officials, including Dr. Marthe Augustine Kirimat, CAR’s Minister for Gender Promotion, Women’s Protection, Family and Children – the convening played a pivotal role in laying the foundations for a successful follow-up trip in July with an AU Commission-led mission including SOAWR.

Barrister Yveline Ntanfai from WCIC said, “An effective collaborative advocacy, depending on who you surround yourself with, leads to successful goal achievement as with the CAR mission. Today, the Central African Republic stands tall as the 46th AU Member State to ratify the Maputo Protocol.

“This milestone is the result of considerable efforts by government leaders, women’s rights advocates, and regional partners. It is a powerful testament to what we can achieve through collaboration to advance the rights of women and girls.”

Mulisa expanded that the CAR mission demonstrated the resilience and strength of women and girls to advocate for their rights.

“It proved that civil society can effectively engage government institutions to achieve a shared goal,” stated Mulisa. “Women’s rights organisations in the Central African Republic played a crucial role, speaking with one voice to push for state compliance and the submission of the instruments of ratification.”

Upholding women’s legal rights across Africa

The Maputo Protocol explicitly affirms the right of women and girls to live free from violence, and African governments are obligated to adopt strong legislative and policy measures that prevent and respond to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, guarantee access to justice, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Beyond legal reform, the Protocol mandates survivor-centred support services, including access to legal aid, and promotes public education to eliminate harmful practices and challenge discrimination. Furthermore, it encourages international cooperation and collaboration on research, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices.

The power of the Protocol is evidenced by SOAWR founder member and secretariat Equality Now in Breathing Life into the Maputo Protocol: Jurisprudence on the Rights of Women and Girls in Africa 2nd Edition, a case digest by Equality Now legal experts that illustrates how the Protocol has been increasingly referenced in national and regional court decisions to uphold women’s and girls’ rights.

Between 2019 and 2024, courts across 11 African countries applied the treaty in 26 landmark judgments, showing its growing importance in strategic litigation that set legal precedents.

The Maputo Protocol is key to safeguarding the rights of women and girls

However, Africa’s progress on securing legal rights for women and girls must not be taken for granted. Amid a growing global pushback against gender equality involving attempts to repeal existing legal protections, such as in The Gambia, where anti-rights activists have filed a case with the Gambian Supreme Court seeking to repeal the country’s law prohibiting female genital mutilation, it is more important than ever to both build upon and defend the gains accrued.

The protocol stands as a critical shield against regression.

As a legally binding framework to “ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realised and protected in order to enable them to fully enjoy all their human rights,” the treaty provides a clear roadmap for governments to establish robust legal protections, address systemic discrimination, and turn the aspiration of gender equality into a lived reality.

Crucially, it also empowers civil society, legal practitioners, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to challenge harmful laws, resist the rollback of rights, and demand justice through national and regional mechanisms.

With just five years remaining to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the ratification and full implementation of the Protocol by every AU Member State is more urgent than ever for SDG 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

It is imperative that each African government takes concrete action to ratify the treaty and incorporate its provisions wholesale into national legislation. This must include doing so without reservations that allow states to opt out of specific commitments and, in doing so, dilute the treaty’s protections.

In practice, reservations can undermine fundamental human rights, such as restricting access to reproductive healthcare and weakening protections against child marriage, marital rape, and sex discrimination in family laws governing divorce, inheritance, child custody, and nationality.

“This is a defining moment for Africa,” explained Esther Waweru, Senior Legal Advisor at Equality Now. “The Central African Republic’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol sends a powerful message that progress on women’s rights continues. But it must not stop here. Over the past two decades, the treaty has driven significant legal advances across the continent. Yet, challenges remain, and sustained effort is needed for its promises to be entirely realised in every African country.”

Waweru added, “While we celebrate the Central African Republic’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol, we keep in mind all the African Union Member States that have not yet prioritised full ratification, domestication, and implementation of the treaty, leaving millions without the comprehensive legal protection they are entitled to.

“We urge these governments to act without delay to uphold their obligations under the Protocol and ensure no woman or girl is left behind, not in law, not in practice, and not in progress.”

Search for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez Continues

By
TheCrimeScene
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0

Search Efforts Continue with Trusted Community Partners; Public Encouraged to Engage Directly with NOPD or Crimestoppers

While volunteers remain active in the search for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, the New Orleans Police Department continues to lead the investigation with full support from trusted community partners and Crimestoppers.

No official NOPD announcement has indicated a change in status or strategy.

We recognise that some community members feel hesitant about sharing information with law enforcement. Please know that both NOPD and Crimestoppers are committed to ensuring that tips can be reported anonymously and safely. The focus remains on locating Bryan.

If you hear conflicting reports or are unsure of how to help, please rely only on information directly from NOPD or Crimestoppers.

How the public can help:

  • Submit tips immediately by calling Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
  • Tips to Crimestoppers remain anonymous.

Said Farah Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future Juror

By
Deborah Ojuade
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0

Said Farah, 43, the fifth defendant charged in the juror bribery scheme, pled guilty today to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge David S. Doty for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Two of the defendants on trial were brothers—defendant Said Farah and his brother, Abdiaziz Farah.

During the trial, Said Farah conspired with others, including his brother, Abdiaziz Farah, and a third brother not charged in the case, Abdulkarim Farah, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors, known as Juror 52, in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.  In total, five defendants have thus far been charged in the juror bribery case.

Said Farah is the fifth defendant to plead guilty. All five defendants are currently pending sentencing before Judge Doty.  Those sentencings dates have not yet been set.

“I watched this unfold with my own eyes—it was corruption stacked on corruption,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.  “The Feeding Our Future scheme was already a staggering and brazen fraud.”

According to court documents, co-conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah researched Juror 52’s address and other personal information online and via social media, including Juror 52’s Facebook account. Through their online research, conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah identified Juror 52’s home address and found information about Juror 52’s background and family members.

Nur recruited co-conspirator Ladan Ali to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52.  At the time, Ali was living in Seattle, Washington. During the trial, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to meet with Nur and discuss the plan to bribe Juror 52.  Ali agreed to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52 in exchange for a $150,000 cash payment.

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52.  Nur asked Ali to surveil and follow Juror 52 home as she left court for the day. Nur gave Ali a photo of Juror 52’s car and a map of the Jerry Haaf Memorial Parking Ramp where Juror 52 parked.

On Friday, May 31, 2024, Ali attempted to follow Juror 52 home as she left the Jerry Haaf Parking Ramp at the conclusion of the first day of closing arguments.

On June 1, 2024, Ali told Nur—falsely—that she had approached Juror 52 at a bar.  Ali falsely told Nur that Juror 52 was interested in taking the bribe and wanted $500,000 in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict.  Ali said that Juror 52 wanted Ali to deliver the money at noon on Sunday, June 2, when Juror 52 would be home alone.  None of this was true.  Ali did not speak with Juror 52, and Juror 52 never agreed to accept a bribe.

Nevertheless, believing Ali’s account to be true, Nur relayed Ali’s account to Abdiaziz Farah, who said that he would gather the bribe money.  At approximately 11:03 PM on June 1, 2025, Abdiaziz Farah called defendant Said Farah, informed him of the plan to bribe Juror 52, and asked for Said Farah’s assistance in gathering cash for the bribe.  On the morning of Sunday, June 2, Said Farah gathered a portion of the $200,000 in cash for use as bribe money.

In addition to Said Farah’s efforts to obtain the bribe money, a former Feeding Our Future employee who is charged in another indictment with participating in the fraudulent scheme to obtain federal child nutrition program funds, also worked to gather cash for the bribe. Said Farah and this individual obtained the cash from multiple individuals as well as a Hawala located near the Karmel Mall.

On the afternoon of June 2, Said Farah and his brother Abdiaziz Farah met with Nur  outside of Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers.  Said Farah and Abdiaziz Farah gave Nur a cardboard box containing $200,000 in cash to bribe Juror 52.

Nur then met Ali in a parking lot in Bloomington, Minnesota, to give her the bribe money. Nur handed Ali the cardboard box containing the $200,000 in cash. Ali took the cash out of the box and put it into one of the Hallmark gift bags.

Nur then instructed Ali meet Abdulkarim Farah at a location near Juror 52’s house so that Abdulkarim Farah could accompany Ali to Juror 52’s house and record her delivery of the bribe as proof that the bribe money was delivered and that Juror 52 accepted the bribe.

Later that night, Said Farah received the video of Ali delivering the bribe money via an encrypted messaging app. Said Farah later deleted the video to conceal his involvement in the bribery scheme.

“The attempted bribery of a juror is a shocking attack on the fabric of our legal system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “In this country, justice is impartial, swift, and cannot be bought. The extraordinary work on this case attests to the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the judicial process and relentlessly pursue those who seek to corrupt that system.”

AFRICOM, Kenya Defence Forces Issue First-ever African Defence Chiefs Joint Communiqué

By
Deborah Ojuade
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0

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.

The communiqué, co-signed by General Charles M. Kahariri, Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya, and General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, distills the priorities agreed upon by 38 African delegations during ACHOD 2025 in Nairobi. While the conference concluded in May, this communiqué signals the start of a sustained effort to turn dialogue into concrete steps.

“This is more than a record of what was discussed,” said Gen. Langley. “It is a shared commitment to move forward together, build on progress, and deliver results that strengthen security across Africa.”

The five focus areas outlined in the communiqué are: renew and Expand Security Partnerships Across Africa and Worldwide – Deepening coordination between regional organizations, civil society, private sector, academia, and communities; a common vision for security with a shared resolve toward implementation – standardizing doctrine, expanding information sharing, and revitalizing multilateral cooperation; inspiring Innovation Against Emerging Threats – Driving comprehensive responses to against cyberattacks, environmental impacts, and disruptive tactics; strengthening Defense Institutions – Professionalizing forces to include officer and enlisted ranks, fostering multiagency operations, and reinforcing civil-military relations; and promoting African Leadership in Securing the African Continent – Advancing African-led, whole-of-society approaches with targeted partner support.

Kahariri said, “This communiqué focuses our collective energy. It identifies where we must act and where we can lead together.”

The joint communiqué will guide military engagement, innovation, and institutional reforms in the coming year, providing a framework for measuring progress.

Quantum Hacking Threatens Cybersecurity: Race to Fix Encryption Before It’s Too Late; Is Your Data Safe?

By
Funminiyi Philips
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0

As we continue to hurtle through the digital age, the emergence of quantum computing poses significant challenges to our current cybersecurity infrastructure. The potential impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity is profound, with the ability to render traditional encryption methods obsolete in a matter of minutes.

This has led to a growing concern about the need for post-quantum cryptography, a new approach to encryption that can withstand the power of quantum computers.

Quantum computers operate differently from classical computers, using qubits that can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This allows them to perform calculations exponentially faster than any existing supercomputer.

One notable example is Shor’s algorithm, which can factor large numbers and solve discrete logarithms rapidly, compromising the security of current encryption methods like RSA and ECC.

According to Ademola Akinola, a penetration tester with NaijaSecForce society and a cybersecurity consultant at Kurios-sat, the potential impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity is not a matter of if, but when.

As quantum computing continues to advance, it’s essential that we prioritise the development of quantum-resistant algorithms to safeguard sensitive information against potential threats.

As quantum computing advances, there’s a growing need for a new approach to encryption that can withstand the power of quantum computers. Post-quantum cryptography is a cutting-edge field that focuses on developing mathematical problems resistant to both classical and quantum attacks.

Researchers are exploring several promising areas, including lattice-based cryptography, which creates a complex grid-like structure that’s difficult to break using quantum algorithms.

Another approach is code-based cryptography, which utilises error-correcting codes to create secure encryption. Multivariate cryptography is also being investigated, using intricate mathematical equations to ensure secure encryption. Additionally, hash-based signatures are being developed, leveraging hash functions to create secure digital signatures.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is already working on standardising post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, with notable candidates such as CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium leading the way. These advancements aim to provide a robust defence against potential quantum threats, ensuring the security and integrity of sensitive information in the future.

To protect themselves from the potential risks of quantum computing, organisations need to take a proactive and forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity. This involves several key steps. First, conducting thorough risk assessments is crucial to identifying areas that may be vulnerable to quantum threats, allowing organisations to prioritise their efforts and resources effectively.

Next, inventory audits are necessary to evaluate cryptographic dependencies and pinpoint areas that require updates or replacements with quantum-resistant algorithms.

Furthermore, workforce readiness is vital, and organisations should invest in training and educating their teams on post-quantum cryptographic methods to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to implement these new technologies.

Finally, pilot projects and research collaborations can help organisations test and refine quantum-safe technologies before implementing them on a larger scale, reducing the risk of disruptions and ensuring a smooth transition to a more secure future.

The emergence of quantum computing poses significant challenges to our current cybersecurity infrastructure. However, by prioritising the development of post-quantum cryptography and taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, we can mitigate the risks and ensure a safer digital future.

Akinola said, “It’s not about preventing the quantum revolution, but about staying ahead of it. As individuals, when we work together, we can create a more secure digital landscape for generations to come.”

Funminiyi B. Philips is a cybersecurity enthusiast. He can be reached on LinkedIn.

Tech CEO Richard Kim Charged With Securities, Wire Fraud After Gambling Away Seed Round Funding

By
Olaoluwa Fabuyi
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0

An indictment charging Richard Kim, the former Chief Executive Officer of Zero Edge Corporation, with engaging in a scheme to defraud investors and prospective investors of Zero Edge by making false and misleading statements regarding the use of investor funds and subsequently misappropriating those funds has been unsealed.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

According to the allegations contained in the indictment, Kim founded Zero Edge in March 2024, purporting to build an app-based casino using blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies. Kim represented to prospective investors that Zero Edge would develop on-chain games beginning with craps, and later offering roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.

Kim also represented to investors that their funds would be used to build the business and its technology.  Instead, KIM misappropriated the proceeds of the company’s seed round to make speculative cryptocurrency trades and gamble at an online casino.

Shortly after closing on the approximately $4.3 million seed financing round, Kim diverted approximately $3.8 million of investors’ funds first into a personal cryptocurrency account held at Coinbase and then sent approximately $1 million on to a variety of other crypto exchanges, including Binance, Kraken, and Backpack.

Between in or about June 21, 2024, and June 27, 2024, Kim made transfers of approximately $7 million, and net transfers of approximately $1 million, from Coinbase and Kraken to a personal account held at Shuffle.com, which advertises itself as a “VIP Crypto Casino and Sportsbook.”

Kim also directed a net sum of approximately $450,000 to other cryptocurrency wallets with unknown owners and transferred approximately $145,000 more from Kraken to a personal checking account.

In e-mails Kim later sent to investors, Kim admitted to misappropriating the investors’ funds, writing that he was “solely responsible for the loss of $3.67 million of the company’s balance sheet” following “leveraged trading losses from seed round financing proceeds” and that the company had lost nearly all its money.

But even as Kim admitted to some investors that he had misappropriated funds, he continued to conceal the true nature of his conduct, telling investors that he had lost the money as a result of a “treasury management strategy” rather than personal gambling.

At the time of his arrest, Kim admitted to the FBI that he knew what he did “was clearly wrong from the beginning” and “completely unjustifiable.”

“Richard Kim allegedly misappropriated millions of investors’ dollars intended to develop his online casino company by redirecting these funds for personal gambling and trading ventures,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. “Kim allegedly hedged his bets that false assurances would induce more investments and conceal the true nature of his spending. The FBI remains committed to apprehending any individual who leverages executive positions to defraud others for selfish purposes.”

Kim, 39, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

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