Crypto Influencer Behind Bars: US Cracks Down on Massive Illegal Mining Operation
Another day, another crypto scandal—this time with handcuffs. The DOJ just made an example of a high-profile influencer turned alleged mining fraudster, proving even 'web3 visionaries' aren't above old-school prison bars.
How the scheme unraveled
Authorities traced illicit mining farms sucking enough juice to power a small town—all while our influencer was busy shilling 'decentralized freedom' on Twitter. The irony writes itself.
Regulators sharpen their knives
This takedown lands as the SEC quietly updates its crypto enforcement playbook. Coincidence? Please. Wall Street's been waiting years to watch crypto's golden boys eat humble pie (between sips of their $28 oat milk lattes).
The takeaway? Mining rigs might be decentralized—but federal prisons definitely aren't.
Influencer sentenced to jail for cryptojacking scheme
Authorities mentioned that the crypto influencer created a variety of names, corporate affiliations, and email addresses, including emails with domain names from companies he operated. Documents showed that he used domain names like “MultiMillionaire LLC” and “CP3O LLC” under his control to gain access to massive amounts of computing power and storage illegally.
Parks also deceived the providers into approving several privileges and benefits, including increased levels of computing services, and deflected inquiries from the providers regarding questionable data usage and mounting unpaid subscription balances.
For example, he lied to one company that he was using the computing resources to create “a global online training company that focuses on media, technology, and business strategy.”
He lied that his goal was to enable the service to get to about 10,000 students simultaneously, while in reality, there was no training company, and neither were there students. Parks used the fraudulently obtained computing resources to mine several digital assets, including Ethereum, Litecoin, and Monero.
Parks then converted and laundered the crypto proceeds.
Authorities promise to crack down on criminals
Authorities mentioned that he used several platforms like crypto exchanges, non-fungible (NFT) marketplaces, an online payment provider, and traditional bank accounts to MOVE the money. He also structured the movement of funds to avoid transaction reporting requirements under federal law. After converting his ill-gotten assets into cash, the crypto influencer used the proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles, pay for travel expenses, and first-class hotel rooms.
Parks boasted about his profits, posing as an influencer to earn credibility. In a YouTube video he posted in September 2022, Parks shared tips for achieving what he called the MultiMillionaire Mentality.”
“Last year I set a goal for myself that I wanted to make seven digits or more, and so I spent the first ten days of the year creating a—we’ll just call it a really nice crypto script—that I was able to use at scale. And after working that ten days, let’s just put it this way, I didn’t work the rest of the year,” Parks said in one of his videos.
Speaking about his case, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said, “While Parks gloated across social media platforms, he failed to mention his purported success was rooted in deceit and theft. May today’s sentencing reaffirm the FBI’s steadfast commitment to dismantling any cryptojacking operation that targets legitimate companies for nefarious reasons.”
Parks was charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions in connection with the scheme. He already pleaded guilty to the scheme in December 2024, and WOULD surrender about $500,000 and a Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicle purchased with proceeds from the criminal activity. The amount of restitution is expected to be determined at a later date.
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