In a striking case intertwining romance and cryptocurrency, 22-year-old Maissa Jebali from South Florida faces serious charges after allegedly stealing over $850,000 worth of a Trump-themed Solana meme coin from her ex-boyfriend, Anthony Bravo. The incident has not only led to criminal charges but also potential deportation proceedings for Jebali.
According to an affidavit from the Miami Police Department, the events unfolded following a heated argument between Jebali and Bravo aboard his yacht. After the dispute, Bravo reportedly took a nap, only to awaken and discover a significant portion of his cryptocurrency holdings missing. Investigations suggest that Jebali accessed Bravo’s phone, transferring the substantial amount of TrumpCoin from his Phantom wallet to her own. In addition to the crypto theft, Bravo alleges that Jebali incurred approximately $14,000 in unauthorized charges on his credit cards, including expenses at an Airbnb and a lavish shopping spree.
Upon realizing the theft, Bravo enlisted the help of private investigator David Bolton and promptly filed a report with the Miami police. Authorities tracked Jebali to the Yotel Miami, where she was arrested on charges of grand theft and credit card fraud. Further complicating her legal troubles, it was revealed that Jebali had overstayed her visa, leading to her being placed in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and facing potential deportation.
“I want restitution for what she stole. It’s not fair for what happened, I just need justice,” said Bravo.
Unprecedented Surge in Real-World Heists: Scams, Kidnappings, and Assaults
While digital threats like hacking and scams dominate headlines, a growing number of crypto holders are falling victim to real-world, offline robberies. A recent report compiled by cypherpunk Jameson Lopp reveals that 2024 witnessed 19 documented offline crypto heists globally—a worrying trend that has continued into 2025. These incidents range from sophisticated scams to violent kidnappings, underscoring the very tangible risks associated with holding large amounts of digital assets.
One of the more audacious cases occurred in Arizona last December, where a man posing as an Uber driver managed to steal $300,000 in cryptocurrency from unsuspecting passengers. By tricking riders into handing over their phones—under the pretense of verifying their ride—he accessed their Coinbase accounts and drained the funds before they even realized what had happened.
In South Korea, six Chinese nationals were arrested last month following a violent robbery at a luxury hotel in Jeju. The suspects had lured a crypto trader to the hotel under the guise of a large-scale over-the-counter (OTC) transaction. Once the victim arrived, they assaulted him and made off with approximately $580,000 in crypto and cash.
Growing Concerns Over Crypto Security
These high-profile incidents highlight a pressing issue: as cryptocurrencies become more mainstream and valuable, they are increasingly attracting the attention of not only digital hackers but also real-world criminals. Unlike traditional banking systems, where fraud protection and insurance can mitigate such risks, cryptocurrency holders are often solely responsible for their own security.
Experts warn that crypto investors, especially those who deal in large sums, should take extra precautions. This includes maintaining strict operational security (OPSEC) protocols, such as using hardware wallets, enabling multi-factor authentication, and being cautious about sharing sensitive information—even in person.
Quick Facts:
- Maissa Jebali allegedly stole over $850,000 in Trump-themed Solana meme coin from ex-boyfriend Anthony Bravo.
- Jebali is also accused of unauthorized credit card expenditures totaling approximately $14,000.
- Facing grand theft and credit card fraud charges, Jebali is also under ICE custody due to visa overstay, with potential deportation looming.
