An arrest warrant has been issued for Kevin Segal, a self-proclaimed “Bitcoin billionaire,” who allegedly skipped a court hearing after a friend posted his $50,000 bond. Prosecutors have accused Segal of defrauding Wyoming businesses out of more than $212,000, and if convicted, he faces up to 141 years in prison.
Segal, a 30-year-old from California, allegedly posed as a wealthy businessman looking to purchase millions in real estate in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while leaving a trail of unpaid bills at luxury resorts and businesses. According to The Daily Mail, Segal’s behavior was flagged after he failed to appear in court on Wednesday and also allegedly violated an order to surrender his passport.
Judge Bill Simpson issued a nationwide bench warrant for Segal’s arrest after his failure to appear in court. The warrant applies across all 50 states, further intensifying the search for the alleged scam artist.
Jason Irvine, who posted Segal’s bond, described the situation as a betrayal. Irvine, who maxed out three credit cards to help Segal, claimed that Segal had promised him a Bitcoin payout worth half a million dollars in exchange for the bond but vanished after being released from jail on February 14. Irvine later expressed his frustration in a text to Segal, stating, “You screwed me over, and now I really don’t believe anything you say anymore.” Due to the financial loss, Irvine is now considering bankruptcy.
Investigations have revealed a series of fraudulent activities linked to Segal in Wyoming. He reportedly stayed at the luxurious Amangani resort with his mother and a friend, leaving behind an unpaid bill of $2,725.76. At Spring Creek Ranch, Segal allegedly used fraudulent cards to settle bills amounting to over $22,000. Additionally, Segal left an unpaid tab of $3,055.28 at the Mangy Moose Saloon.
Further allegations include Segal hiring a man to purchase a DJI drone in Colorado with the promise of reimbursement, but the check for $3,281.46 was never honored. Segal also allegedly stranded a delivery man after promising to cover return flights that were never purchased, later sending a fake wire transfer screenshot to cover the man’s $3,101 expenses.
This is not Segal’s first brush with legal trouble. Court documents reveal a previous civil lawsuit where Segal falsely claimed to own stocks worth over $340 million and owned a successful company in order to lease a Los Angeles property.
If Segal is caught, he will face a significantly increased bond of $750,000 cash-only.
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