Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI through the United States authorities is ready to sell 152 bitcoins seized from a notorious internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, popularly known as Mr Woodberry. This is after the criminal pleaded guilty to $8 million wire fraud.

A document filed Friday at the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Illinois regarding Mr. Woodberry’s forfeiture order said the U.S. Marshal Service will now take custody of the seized crypto assets for disposition.

This came after Mr. Woodberry consented to surrender the proceeds of the wire fraud, which he had conducted while living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, under the alias "Mark Kain," by hiring at least four money mules.

Recall that Mr Woodberry was detained by Police in Dubai, in 2020. He was immediately handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. Shortly afterwards, he was moved to Chicago, where he has been facing charges.

Significantly, The federal government has urged those who were interested in the land to register with them with legitimate documentation and submit a claim within 30 days. “provide written notice to any person known to have alleged an interest in the property that is the subject of the preliminary order of forfeiture.”

If nobody comes forward to claim ownership of the seized assets, American prosecutors said they would proceed to advertise their sale.

“The United States shall publish notice of this order and of its intent to dispose of the property,” the federal authorities said in the motion filed by Morris Pasqual, an acting U.S. attorney overseeing the case.

It added, “The United States requests that the terms and conditions of this preliminary order of forfeiture entered by this court be made part of the sentence imposed against defendant Olalekan Jacob Ponle and included in any judgment and commitment order entered in this case against him.”