Shane Moore Convicted in Crypto Fraud – Sentenced to Prison

Shane Donovan Moore, a former semi-professional rugby player from the U.S., has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for defrauding over $900,000 from more than 40 investors. Under the guise of being a crypto mining entrepreneur, Moore promised 1% daily returns, but it was essentially a disguised Ponzi scheme.

Ex-Rugby Player Scams $900K Through Fake Crypto Mining Project

1. How The Scam Worked: Sophisticated But Not New

1.1. The Crypto Mining Product Didn’t Exist

Moore operated a company called Quantum Donovan LLC from January 2021 to October 2022. He told investors their funds would be used to purchase crypto mining machines that would generate daily returns.

The truth: No mining equipment was ever bought. Instead, Moore transferred the money into personal accounts.

1.2. Lavish Spending Like A "Crypto King"

•  - Purchased luxury apartments

•  - Spent on designer luggage and electronics

•  - Used part of the funds to pay early investors — sustaining the illusion of profits

2. Why Did So Many People Trust Him?

“I’m one of you.”

Moore leveraged his personal relationships, particularly among fellow rugby players in Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Utah. His background in sports and personal credibility made it easier to gain the trust of those with similar networks.

Victims in Washington state alone lost over $387,000.

3. Sentencing By The U.S. Federal Court

On July 18, 2025, Judge Tana Lin sentenced Moore to:

•  - 30 months in federal prison

•  - Restitution to victims (repayment details not disclosed)

"Moore caused not only financial losses but also emotional and psychological harm to the victims. This is a sophisticated fraud disguised as modern investing," the court stated.

4. The Surge Of Crypto Scams In 2025

According to Chainalysis, over $2.17 billion worth of crypto has been stolen in just the first half of 2025 — already surpassing the total for all of 2024.

Common scam tactics include:

•  - Promises of fixed daily returns (1–3%)

•  - Personal referrals or insider networks

•  - "Deposit more to withdraw" trick

•  - Fake mining, staking, or AI-based projects

“The only thing that changes is the scammer’s face — the victims are always those naive or greedy enough to YOLO their savings,” said Karan Pujara, founder of ScamBuzzer.

5. Pricey Lessons: How To Avoid Crypto Scams?

•  - Don’t believe in guaranteed returns – crypto markets are volatile.

•  - Verify legal compliance – is the project officially registered?

•  - Research the founders and team – look into past records and affiliations.

•  - Be cautious with “trusted” relationships – scams can come from friends too.

•  - Use tools like ScamBuzzer, DeFi Safety, CoinGecko Trust Score, etc.

6. Conclusion

In the decentralized world of crypto, trust is a valuable asset but easily exploited. Shane Moore’s story is a harsh reminder: invest with reason, not emotion.