Robert Barr, a Scots scammer implicated in a £7 million online fraud, expressed a preference for serving his potential jail time in Scotland rather than the United States, citing the “much nicer prison system” in his home country.
Recent Conviction for Hacking Cryptocurrency Trader
Barr was sentenced to 21 months in Airdrie Sheriff Court for hacking into the email accounts of a cryptocurrency trader in England. This crime was committed while he was on bail for the alleged US scam.
Details of the English Cryptocurrency Fraud
The court heard that Barr and an accomplice managed to steal approximately £3,000 and were thwarted from obtaining an additional £33,000 only because the victim employed security experts to stop the transfer of funds.
Ongoing Fight Against Extradition
Following his recent conviction, Barr appeared in an Edinburgh court as part of his ongoing battle against extradition to the US. His lawyer, Fred Mackintosh, cited Barr’s ADHD diagnosis but noted that Barr accepted full responsibility for his actions.
Lengthy Custody and Potential Long Sentence in the US
Barr has been in custody for much of the past two years related to the extradition case. His lawyer highlighted that if extradited and convicted in the US, Barr could face a very long sentence, which Barr wishes to avoid by serving time in Scotland.
FBI Involvement in Cryptocurrency Fraud Allegations
The FBI identified Barr as a suspect in a significant cryptocurrency fraud involving £7 million stolen from New York financier Reggie Middleton. The scam allegedly involved using the victim’s phone number to access his email and cryptocurrency accounts.
Additional Alleged Victim and Historical Fraud
A second victim reportedly lost £485,000 in a similar scam. The alleged frauds date back to 2017, with Barr conducting these crimes from his mother’s home in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire.
Admission of Defrauding English Cryptocurrency Trader
Barr admitted to defrauding and attempting to defraud English cryptocurrency trader Christopher Morley between May and June 2022. This crime occurred four months after Barr was granted bail in the extradition case.
Execution of the Fraud and Prevention of Further Losses
A man posing as Mr. Morley had requested a password reset for Morley’s Sky email account, enabling Barr and his accomplice to access digital wallets containing cryptocurrency. Mr. Morley discovered the hack and, at a cost of £2,500, hired specialists to prevent further losses.
Evidence Seized from Barr’s Home
Police, armed with a search warrant, raided Barr’s home in Biggar, seizing an Apple Macbook Pro and an iPhone containing details of Mr. Morley’s email and cryptocurrency accounts.
Sentencing Remarks by Sheriff Derek Livingston
Sheriff Derek Livingston acknowledged the complexity and planning involved in the fraud while sentencing Barr. He noted Barr’s insight and acceptance of culpability but indicated that the sentence could have been significantly higher.
Future Extradition Proceedings
The extradition case has been adjourned until next month, where further proceedings will determine whether Barr will be extradited to face charges in the US.
Breaking News