Ramazan Eles 
The former CEO of an American bank has admitted to a $47 million heist utilizing cryptocurrencies.
Shan Hanes, the 52-year-old ex-CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart, Kansas, has taken responsibility for embezzling $47 million. Following this massive loss, the Tri-State Bank declared bankruptcy last year.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas, Hanes was found guilty of exploiting his position to misappropriate millions of dollars, leading to the bank’s collapse.
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Details reveal that from May 2023 to July 2023, Hanes transferred a total of $47.1 million from Heartland’s funds to a crypto wallet through ten different wire transfers.
Subsequently, these funds were dispersed across multiple crypto wallets controlled by unidentified third parties, making the money trail difficult to trace.
U.S. Attorney Kate Brubacher described Hanes as a “master manipulator” in her statement:
“Shan Hanes is a liar and master manipulator who caused the downfall of Heartland Tri-State Bank. While squandering tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes devised plans to cover up the bank’s losses.”
Shan Hanes faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in this major heist.