I've read the indictment and here are my comments on it:
1. Stop using google and related services. They log all your data forever (keyword searches). The FBI/governments are now going to google to get this data to use for investigation purposes. This is probably the same for any major internet company that records data (they all do). The only exception is for companies that pride themselves in having a "no logging" policy...maybe like duckduckgo.
2. Your computer can be tracked by its device characteristics. This is almost the same as your IP address or physical address to a certain extent. This was a significant part of the prosecution's evidence. You can use a USB bootable device like TAILs to potentially mitigate this risk.
3. The guy filed tax returns for something like 50-150k/year in taxable income. In certain years he had deposits into his bank account totaling $2.8 million.....I mean come on now...how do you think that's not going to raise a red flag...at least for the IRS?
4. BTC mixing services will not necessarily guarantee your privacy, especially if you are using KYC exchanges. Even if you are not doing anything illegal with your BTC...you'll still have to be able to explain where the money came from. This guy was going to use the excuse that his father gave him the BTC for free....and paid for all the BTC with cash.
5. If you're doing anything shady, for the love of god don't use a bank. Also if you are doing anything shady, don't use a KYC exchange. You're probably just better off staying entirely in crypto or selling the crypto for physical cash and just staying in cash.
My overall impression is for the amount this guy stole, he planned it out very sloppily and made very little effort to EFFECTIVELY conceal his activity.
1. Stop using google and related services. They log all your data forever (keyword searches). The FBI/governments are now going to google to get this data to use for investigation purposes. This is probably the same for any major internet company that records data (they all do). The only exception is for companies that pride themselves in having a "no logging" policy...maybe like duckduckgo.
2. Your computer can be tracked by its device characteristics. This is almost the same as your IP address or physical address to a certain extent. This was a significant part of the prosecution's evidence. You can use a USB bootable device like TAILs to potentially mitigate this risk.
3. The guy filed tax returns for something like 50-150k/year in taxable income. In certain years he had deposits into his bank account totaling $2.8 million.....I mean come on now...how do you think that's not going to raise a red flag...at least for the IRS?
4. BTC mixing services will not necessarily guarantee your privacy, especially if you are using KYC exchanges. Even if you are not doing anything illegal with your BTC...you'll still have to be able to explain where the money came from. This guy was going to use the excuse that his father gave him the BTC for free....and paid for all the BTC with cash.
5. If you're doing anything shady, for the love of god don't use a bank. Also if you are doing anything shady, don't use a KYC exchange. You're probably just better off staying entirely in crypto or selling the crypto for physical cash and just staying in cash.
My overall impression is for the amount this guy stole, he planned it out very sloppily and made very little effort to EFFECTIVELY conceal his activity.