- Richard Heart, the controversial founder of cryptocurrency projects Hex, PulseChain, and PulseX, has been placed on Interpol’s Red List
- He has faced allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, and involvement in financial schemes linked to his crypto ventures
- Regulatory authorities and law enforcement worldwide have intensified their investigations, citing potential financial crimes and investor losses
Richard Heart, known for founding the HEX ecosystem, will spend Christmas on Interpol’s red list following accusations of fraudulent activities and deceptive practices tied to his crypto projects. Heart was charged with securities fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August last year when he was accused of spending over $12 million of HEX investors’ money on luxury clothes and cars. However, the SEC hasn’t been able to formally start proceedings because they can’t actually find Heart to serve him with the papers, a situation that has now led to him experiencing the same fate as drug dealers and other such criminals.
Who is Richard Heart?
Richard Heart is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world, best known as the founder of Hex, PulseChain, and PulseX. Heart launched HEX in 2019, claiming that it was “worth more than gold, credit card companies, and cash,” but critics have long raised concerns about the sustainability and legitimacy of these ventures, with some labeling Hex as a pyramid scheme due to its structure relying on recruitment and reinvestment.
Last year, Heart was accused of misappropriating funds raised through these projects, with reports suggesting significant sums were diverted for personal gain. Investors have reported substantial losses, alleging they were misled by Heart’s aggressive marketing and extravagant claims.
The SEC sided with the critics and accused Heart of orchestrating an unregistered securities sale, seeking remedies such as injunctive relief, disgorgement of gains, penalties, and other equitable measures. The complaint accused Heart of defrauding investors by misappropriating at least $12 million for personal purchases, including a “555-carat diamond, expensive watches, and high-end automobiles.”
Catch Me If You Can
Heart has been in hiding since the SEC revealed its intent to charge him, with Finland thought to be his base for some time. Heart’s addition to Interpol’s Red list represents a significant escalation, marking him as an international fugitive; the Red List is a notice used to request the location and arrest of individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. This development follows mounting legal actions and investigations across jurisdictions, reflecting a unified effort to bring him to justice.
Heart’s supporters maintain his innocence and believe he is a victim of a conspiracy carried out in order to silence HEX and prevent it from overtaking the global cash system. While we can and should laugh at this preposterous idea, at Christmas especially, we should think of those less fortunate than ourselves and be thankful that we have more than a couple of brain cells knocking about in our skulls.
