WGNS Radio: Cryptocurrency Theft Leads to Multi-Agency Investigation and Arrest - More Victims Possible

POLK COUNTY – Special agents from the Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have concluded an extensive investigation into the theft of cryptocurrency, resulting in the arrest of an Oregon man this Tuesday. In an effort to ensure public awareness and safety, the agents are now releasing a booking photo of the suspect. This decision stems from their uncertainty regarding the possibility of additional victims in the local area.

The investigation reached across the country, and included agencies from multiple states and jurisdictions: State of Oregon Department of Justice, Albany (OR) Police Department, Lincoln County (OR) Sheriff's Office, Ionia County (Michigan) Sheriff's Office, Santa Clara County (California) District Attorney’s Office REACT Task Force, and the FBI Norfolk (Virginia) Field Office.

In May 2023, at the request of 10th Judicial District Attorney General Shari Tayloe, TBI special agents began an investigation into the theft of cryptocurrency from a Polk County resident. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that from September 2022 through December 2023, on three separate occasions the victim had funds stolen from an account, at a loss totaling approximately $330,300 at the time of the theft. While the stolen cryptocurrency was sent to multiple exchanges, the investigation revealed that the theft in those incidents could either be traced to accounts belonging to Patrick Hakim of Albany, Oregon, or involved accounts or services subscribed to by Hakim. On January 26th, 2024, TBI applied for and was granted an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Hakim in the 10th Judicial District of Tennessee for one count of Theft of Property, over $250,000.