A California man who once called himself a “Bitcoin billionaire” is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt after failing to appear in court on fraud charges.
Kevin Segal, 30, is wanted in all 50 states after skipping a court hearing in Wyoming, where he faces allegations of defrauding businesses out of more than $212,000.
Authorities say Segal posed as a high-net-worth investor, leveraging his fabricated wealth to orchestrate a series of scams.
His latest deception involved convincing a friend, Jason Irvine, to post his $50,000 bond with promises of a substantial Bitcoin payout.
However, Segal failed to attend his scheduled court appearance, prompting a judge to issue a new bench warrant and set his next bond at $750,000 cash-only.
Fraud Allegations and Elaborate Deceptions
Prosecutors allege Segal engaged in a complex web of financial deception, targeting businesses, hotels, and private individuals. His fraudulent activities first came to the attention of Wyoming authorities in May 2024, when a car dealership in Jackson Hole reported that he had failed to pay for a brand-new 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, valued at $159,427. Despite claiming he would wire the funds, the transaction never went through.
Segal had been staying at the five-star Caldera House hotel but checked out six days before taking possession of the vehicle, leaving behind an unpaid bill of $14,870.
Similarly, Amangani resort reported that he stayed there with his mother and a friend, leaving an outstanding balance of $2,725. Investigators discovered additional unpaid bills, including a $3,055 tab at Mangy Moose Saloon and nearly $22,238 in fraudulent credit card charges at Spring Creek Ranch.
According to court documents, Segal convinced multiple victims that he had sold $340 million worth of stocks and owned a highly successful business. One lawsuit alleged he used these false claims to lease a property in Los Angeles, only to later reverse wire transfers and issue fraudulent checks. That case was settled in September 2023.
Victims Left in Financial Ruin
Irvine, who posted Segal’s bail, now finds himself in financial distress after maxing out three credit cards to secure his friend’s release.
“You screwed me over, and now I don’t believe anything you say anymore. You’re a sociopath and a con man, and you’re going to get what you deserve,”
he reportedly texted Segal after the betrayal.
Authorities continue to search for Segal, whose current whereabouts remain unknown. Teton County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Fiacco emphasized the urgency of the case, stating,
“We want to bring him back here so we can have some type of restitution for all of our local victims. There were a lot of people, besides bigger companies, that have been affected.”
Segal’s fraudulent activities extended beyond financial transactions. In one instance, he convinced a man to purchase a DJI drone on his behalf, promising reimbursement. However, the check Segal issued for $3,281.46 bounced, leaving the man with the debt. Similarly, he allegedly arranged for a delivery driver and his son to transport his stolen Dodge Ram from Wyoming to Los Angeles, only for them to discover that Segal had not booked their return flight upon arrival. The pair had to cover the expenses themselves, totaling over $3,100.
Detective Adam Rainey, who testified at Segal’s January trial, stated,
“I believe that Mr. Segal just posed to be a Bitcoin billionaire and said this to everybody just to live the high life.”
Despite his bold claims, Segal has left a financial wreckage in his wake.
A nationwide warrant is now in place for Segal’s arrest. The U.S. Marshals Service has been alerted, and law enforcement officials are intensifying their search. With a potential sentence of up to 141 years in prison, Segal remains one of the most wanted fugitives in the country.
