<p>Most sites that sell Bitcoin for cash require more information than just "bank info" in order to run the transaction.  So the scenario you outlined is not quite complete for the purposes of "not getting caught".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-18T22:09:18.180Z
To elaborate, most exchanges now have a KYC policy that requires new users to send a scan of their passports to activate their accounts, I believe in countries  that don't track the current residence of residents (e.g. the USA) you are also required to provide proof for your address.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-18T21:58:05.700Z
2014-02-18T21:58:05.700Z
Jay Stevens
<p>Assuming the criminal has enough information to complete step (2) successfully (complying with regulatory/identification requirements using a stolen identity, probably not just a bank account number), then the probability of getting caught <em>through the bitcoin transactions alone</em> is low. For further dissociation, the criminal could send the newly-purchased coins to a mixing service before transferring them into his own wallet.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-18T22:17:11.110Z
2014-02-18T22:17:11.110Z
Greg Hewgill
<p>There is not enough information in the question to provide an answer.  Some criminals following those steps won't get caught, so your friend might be right.  Some will get caught because they were recognized during step 1.  Some will get caught because of step 2 if the wifi hotspot leaks information, the seller happens to be a hacker spying on his customers, and investigators are smart enough.  Some will get caught because of step 3 if the bank and the seller cooperate with smart enough investigators and they identify the criminal's personal wallet (unless they use Greg's advice).</p>
<p>In any case, the problems the criminal faces are 1) self-esteem, and 2) sustainability.  As more bitcoin crime happens, the community gets better at preventing it, either through punishment or increasing the burden on the criminals.  As a criminal continues earning his living by creating victims instead of partners, his relationship to the rest of his species degrades.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-15T20:49:29.490Z
2022-09-15T20:49:29.490Z
Dave Scotese
<p>Settle an argument for me.
Assume a criminal does the following:</p>

<p>1: goes thru trash to find a cancelled check
2: using a wifi hotspot like McDonald's and "Hide my ass" buys bitcoins with stolen bank info
3: sells bitcoins and transfers money to his personal account.</p>

<p>Which step does he get caught?</p>

<p>My friends says he gets away with it, I say he gets caught when he sells them. Who's right?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-19T21:50:02.813Z
If he has bad luck, step 1. Searching through and taking some garbage is often contrary to administrative law.
unor
<security><legal>
At what point does the criminal get caught?
Greg
# At what point does the criminal get caught?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-18)

Settle an argument for me.
Assume a criminal does the following:

1: goes thru trash to find a cancelled check
2: using a wifi hotspot like McDonald's and "Hide my ass" buys bitcoins with stolen bank info
3: sells bitcoins and transfers money to his personal account.

Which step does he get caught?

My friends says he gets away with it, I say he gets caught when he sells them. Who's right?

**Tags:** security, legal

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If he has bad luck, step 1. Searching through and taking some garbage is often contrary to administrative law.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-02-18. Score: 4

Most sites that sell Bitcoin for cash require more information than just "bank info" in order to run the transaction. So the scenario you outlined is not quite complete for the purposes of "not getting caught".

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: To elaborate, most exchanges now have a KYC policy that requires new users to send a scan of their passports to activate their accounts, I believe in countries  that don't track the current residence of residents (e.g. the USA) you are also required to provide proof for your address.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2014-02-18. Score: 3

Assuming the criminal has enough information to complete step (2) successfully (complying with regulatory/identification requirements using a stolen identity, probably not just a bank account number), then the probability of getting caught *through the bitcoin transactions alone* is low. For further dissociation, the criminal could send the newly-purchased coins to a mixing service before transferring them into his own wallet.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2022-09-15. Score: 1

There is not enough information in the question to provide an answer. Some criminals following those steps won't get caught, so your friend might be right. Some will get caught because they were recognized during step 1. Some will get caught because of step 2 if the wifi hotspot leaks information, the seller happens to be a hacker spying on his customers, and investigators are smart enough. Some will get caught because of step 3 if the bank and the seller cooperate with smart enough investigators and they identify the criminal's personal wallet (unless they use username_0's advice).

In any case, the problems the criminal faces are 1) self-esteem, and 2) sustainability. As more bitcoin crime happens, the community gets better at preventing it, either through punishment or increasing the burden on the criminals. As a criminal continues earning his living by creating victims instead of partners, his relationship to the rest of his species degrades.


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