Latest news with #RyanBerry
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
RCMP recover 460,000 USD Tether in cryptocurrency for fraud victim Français
OTTAWA, ON, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations - Virtual Assets team at National Headquarters have recovered approximately 460,000 USD Tether (USDT) in cryptocurrency after an Ontario resident was targeted by a sophisticated investment fraud. After obtaining a Special Warrant for Digital Assets, on July 3 the RCMP seized 460,000 USDT—valued at approximately $640,000 CAD—as the proceeds of crime. RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations Sergeant Ryan Berry remarked that prompt reporting by the victim helped officers recover the funds. "In cases of stolen cryptocurrency, timing is everything," Berry said. "Given the speed at which cryptocurrency assets can be transferred, the sooner investigators begin following the transactions, the higher the likelihood of interdiction and seizure during the money laundering process." Berry noted that cooperation from Tether International, S.A. de C.V. also contributed to the successful operation. "Collaboration and assistance from the private sector are paramount in cryptocurrency investigations," he said. "The voluntary assistance of Tether was instrumental in the seizure and recovery of these funds." The RCMP urges Canadians to remain vigilant when considering online investment opportunities and to report thefts and frauds to their local police. Suspected fraud can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online at or by phone (1-888-495-8501). Fast Facts: Cryptocurrency is increasingly a factor in investment frauds. In these cases, victims are introduced to cryptocurrency-related investments via social media, phone calls, online advertisements, and online dating platforms. Using spoofed websites and mobile applications with fake trades and profits, the victims are encouraged to invest money on the investing platform. When the victim attempts to withdraw their investments, they are typically asked for more money for taxes and other fees. Eventually, the perpetrators stops communicating with the victim and the victim realizes they have been defrauded of all the money they believed they were investing. Cryptocurrencies bring new and enhanced legal and technical challenges for law enforcement. Unique procedures and authorities are required to search for, seize and transfer cryptocurrency, as well as enhanced diligence to safeguard these assets when handling and disclosing information. The RCMP coordination centre on virtual assets (cryptocurrency) was created in Federal Policing Criminal Operations, Financial Crime, to enable the RCMP to adapt and be prepared to work operationally in this environment. The centre has dedicated cryptocurrency employees who ensure that the RCMP stays current with trends and training. These employees also provide guidance to investigators across the country.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Associated Press
RCMP recover 460,000 USD Tether in cryptocurrency for fraud victim
OTTAWA, ON, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations - Virtual Assets team at National Headquarters have recovered approximately 460,000 USD Tether (USDT) in cryptocurrency after an Ontario resident was targeted by a sophisticated investment fraud. After obtaining a Special Warrant for Digital Assets, on July 3 the RCMP seized 460,000 USDT—valued at approximately $640,000 CAD—as the proceeds of crime. RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations Sergeant Ryan Berry remarked that prompt reporting by the victim helped officers recover the funds. 'In cases of stolen cryptocurrency, timing is everything,' Berry said. 'Given the speed at which cryptocurrency assets can be transferred, the sooner investigators begin following the transactions, the higher the likelihood of interdiction and seizure during the money laundering process.' Berry noted that cooperation from Tether International, S.A. de C.V. also contributed to the successful operation. 'Collaboration and assistance from the private sector are paramount in cryptocurrency investigations,' he said. 'The voluntary assistance of Tether was instrumental in the seizure and recovery of these funds.' The RCMP urges Canadians to remain vigilant when considering online investment opportunities and to report thefts and frauds to their local police. Suspected fraud can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online at or by phone (1-888-495-8501). Fast Facts: Link: SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations and Issues Management
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Striking worker unemployment benefit bill headed to WA governor
Mat Farnum, center, pickets outside Angel of the Winds Arena as striking Boeing employees pass through to vote on a contract Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry for Washington State Standard) Unemployment benefits for striking workers are close to becoming law in Washington after a compromise proposal cleared the state House and Senate. Striking workers could expect to receive the benefits for up to six weeks under the legislation. Senate Bill 5041 now awaits a signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, who has remained silent on his position on the bill. Earlier in the legislative session, the Senate approved a 12-week limit on striking workers receiving the benefits, and the House approved four weeks. Typically, unemployment insurance is available for up to 26 weeks a year. Both chambers approved the six-week proposal on Friday. 'I think really the only changes to this are that it went to six weeks and I think it's a nice compromise,' said the bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane. Republicans still oppose the bill, arguing that it will encourage more workers to go on strike and result in higher costs for businesses. 'When you look at how this is going to work in a large, long-term strike, I think everybody's going to pay at some level, and that just seems frankly unfair to me,' said Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. Workers would be eligible for unemployment benefits starting the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a one-week waiting period. The benefits would also be extended to workers affected by an employer-initiated lockout, something labor advocates point to as a tactic businesses can use to put pressure on workers during contract negotiations. Benefits would have to be repaid if a strike is determined to be prohibited by state or federal law. The bill would require the state's Employment Security Department to submit annual reports to the Legislature with data on the prevalence of strikes in the state and the cost of benefits for striking workers for Washington's unemployment insurance trust fund. If it becomes law, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and is set to expire Dec. 31, 2035. Washington would join New York and New Jersey, which already provide unemployment insurance for striking workers.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA House and Senate reach deal on unemployment benefits for striking workers
Boeing machinists take to the picket line in front of Boeing's Paine Field facility as thousands of IAM District 751 workers began their strike on Friday, Sep. 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Stadnard) Lawmakers in the Washington House and Senate have struck an agreement to provide up to six weeks of unemployment insurance for striking workers. Both chambers approved Senate Bill 5041 this year to open the safety net program to striking workers, but they set different limits for the amount of time people could receive benefits. The Senate approved a 12-week limit, the House four weeks. Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said the six-week compromise hits a 'sweet spot,' addressing concerns from businesses while leveling the playing field for low-wage workers. Labor unions and Democratic lawmakers have pressed for the bill, arguing the benefits will help striking workers afford necessities such as food and rent when negotiating for better wages and working conditions. When the bill passed the Senate last month, an amendment that would have restricted unemployment benefits to four weeks failed by one vote. Then, in mid-April, the House amended the bill ahead of a floor vote to add the four-week limit. Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, has not publicly taken a position on the bill. Under the bill, workers would become eligible for unemployment benefits on the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a one-week waiting period. Typically, unemployment insurance is offered for up to 26 weeks a year. If a strike is determined to be prohibited by state or federal law, benefits would have to be repaid. Workers affected by employer-initiated lockouts would also be eligible for the benefits. Labor advocates point to lockouts as a tactic businesses can use to put pressure on workers during contract negotiations. New Jersey and New York are the only states that provide unemployment insurance for striking workers. Republicans opposed the bill. They, along with business groups, argue it could incentivize workers to strike and result in higher costs for businesses that could spill over onto employers not involved in labor disputes. 'If employers aren't healthy, you don't have workers and when we don't have healthy employers, we're not going to have a healthy economy,' said Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, R-Spokane Valley. The bill would also require the state's Employment Security Department to submit annual reports to the Legislature with data on the prevalence of strikes in the state and the cost of benefits for striking workers for Washington's unemployment insurance trust fund. If passed, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and is set to expire Dec. 31, 2035. Both chambers have to wait 24 hours before putting the bill up for a vote, which means it could gain final approval from the Legislature as early as Friday. The session ends Sunday.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans fret they'll be left out of critical stage of budget talks
Washington state Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup is the chief budget writer for Senate Republicans. ( Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard) Negotiations on a new state budget got a step more serious Thursday. And, Republicans argue, more secretive. The state Senate voted to request that the two chambers form a conference committee for the operating budget. If the House agrees, and it will in the next few days, six lawmakers – four Democrats and two Republicans – will be charged with reconciling differences in spending plans approved in each chamber. The chief budget writers for each caucus will serve on the panel. Here's the rub for the GOP. They know employing a conference committee at this stage is pretty much standard operating procedure. They did it when they were in the majority. They also understand it isn't like other committees. It won't meet in public until there is a final version of the budget ready to be voted on. And whatever the committee delivers cannot be amended. Republicans are unlikely to be invited to many meetings. Maybe none. Democrats will huddle behind closed doors with their leadership and strike deals. They can involve Republicans at any and every step if they want, but more likely they will brief them when they feel it is necessary. 'You're going to have basically four legislators in a room likely making very dramatic changes to the operating budget, changes none of us will ever have a chance to amend,' Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, said on the Senate floor. Gildon is the lead Republican budget writer and will be a committee member. 'It is closed to the public. It is not transparent,' he said, adding 'it will further erode trust in state government.' Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Democrats' lead budget writer, disagreed with the characterization. 'The conference report process is something the Legislature does every year for the budget and other bills,' she said in a statement. 'I have worked closely with my Republican counterparts throughout the budget process and am open to discussions with them at any point going forward,' Robinson added. 'All of that is taken into consideration in negotiations.' The Senate motion to form a conference committee passed on a party-line 30-19 margin.
