Finnish police want to detain crypto fugitive Richard Heart on suspicion of assault and gross tax evasion believed to be in the region of several hundred million euros.
The remand order for Heart, real name Richard Schueler, was issued by Finnish police last Friday. Heart is suspected of owing tax in Finland after the country’s tax administration found his returns did not match up with its assessment.
Helsinki police detective Harri Saaristola told Finnish publisher Yle, “It is then a matter of neglecting to report [income] or offering false information.”
He added, “Based on the very considerable amount of money in question and the long-term and planned nature of the activity, there are grounds to suspect gross tax evasion.”
Read more: Richard Heart claims SEC lawsuit infringes his free speech
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Heart in July 2023 with misappropriating investor funds, accusing him of stealing millions of dollars through Hex, PulseChain, and PulseX and using it to buy watches, cars, and other luxury goods.
Heart attempted to dismiss the lawsuit last April. His current whereabouts remain unknown but his home is reportedly in Helsinki, Finland’s capital.
The remand order says his alleged tax avoidance took place between June 2020 and April 2024, while the suspected assault happened between February 16 and 17, 2021. The Finnish investigation is said to be in its early stages and is being carried out in conjunction with international authorities.
