The world’s largest international police organization, Interpol, has issued a “Red Notice” for Richard Schueler, also known by his alias Richard Heart, the founder of Hex. This notice is a formal request for global law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest him on charges of tax fraud and assault. Finnish authorities, in particular, are seeking Schueler’s arrest, as part of an ongoing investigation.
It’s important to note that a Red Notice, while a significant international alert, is not the same as an arrest warrant. Instead, it serves as a request for authorities to detain a person while they await extradition or other legal proceedings.
What Is a Red Notice?
A Red Notice issued by Interpol is a request to member countries to help locate and provisionally arrest a person. It’s typically used for individuals wanted for serious offenses. However, it should not be mistaken for an arrest warrant. In Schueler’s case, the Red Notice highlights both tax fraud allegations and a more personal accusation of assault.
While Finnish authorities are actively looking to apprehend him, Schueler has not been formally charged with a crime yet. The legal process will require further proceedings before an arrest can be made, though the global nature of a Red Notice means Schueler could be apprehended in any of the 195 countries that participate in Interpol’s database.
Schueler’s name also appears on Europe’s most wanted fugitives list, where additional details about the allegations have been provided. It’s claimed that Schueler physically assaulted a 16-year-old victim. The specific incident allegedly involved Schueler grabbing the victim’s hair, dragging them into a stairwell, and knocking them to the ground.
This level of detail paints a grim picture of the accusations, though it’s important to remember that these are allegations, and Schueler has not yet been found guilty in a court of law. Despite the charges, Schueler has not publicly commented on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.
The case surrounding Schueler is complicated. Besides the assault accusations, Schueler faces serious tax evasion allegations for the period between June 2, 2020, and April 2, 2024. Finnish authorities suspect that Schueler failed to report income accurately during this time, potentially evading taxes.
The remand order for Schueler was initially issued three months ago, in September, but the recent Red Notice signals the international scale of the search. The issue first came to light publicly on September 18, when Cointelegraph reported that Finnish authorities had flagged discrepancies in Schueler’s income reporting. Finnish police detective Harri Saaristola stated that Schueler’s reported earnings did not align with tax estimates, further fueling the investigation.
Schueler’s Silence
Despite the serious charges, Schueler has not publicly addressed the Red Notice. However, he has remained active on social media, and his recent posts seem to indirectly reference the situation.
On December 21, Schueler posted on X (formerly Twitter), addressing critics and implying that any legal challenges wouldn’t stop him. “If the haters really wanted to get me down, they could raise more than the $27M I did for medical research,” he wrote. His statement seems to downplay the gravity of the accusations, focusing instead on his past charitable contributions. Schueler also added that “Nothing makes haters angrier than success. Every time they think of you, it reminds them how they’re not doing half what they could,” possibly suggesting that the charges are motivated by jealousy or resentment.
Schueler’s defiant tone on social media, while consistent with his public persona, adds complexity to the situation. His social media presence portrays confidence, but his refusal to address the charges directly raises questions about his intentions and legal strategy.
Schueler’s Ongoing Legal Battle with the SEC
Meanwhile, Schueler is entangled in an ongoing legal battle with U.S. regulators, specifically the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC alleges that Schueler, under the name Richard Heart, was involved in the unregistered offering of three crypto tokens: Hex, PulseChain (PLS), and PulseX (PSLX).
The SEC claims that Schueler raised more than $1 billion through the sale of these crypto tokens, which were allegedly presented as investment opportunities promising “grandiose wealth.” According to the SEC, Schueler’s actions violated U.S. securities laws by offering and selling these tokens without proper registration. The SEC’s legal complaint alleges that Schueler misled investors about the potential returns of these investments.
On August 22, Schueler filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the SEC did not have the authority to bring the case against him. However, the SEC disagreed, maintaining that its jurisdiction over securities violations was clear and applicable to Schueler’s activities.
As of now, Schueler has not provided a public statement regarding the SEC lawsuit or the Red Notice issued against him. Despite the high-profile nature of both legal issues, Schueler has not taken the opportunity to clarify his position or provide a defense to the public.
While Schueler’s legal issues grow in scale, the combination of the assault allegations, tax fraud investigation, and SEC lawsuit paints a troubling picture of his current legal and personal situation. The lack of public commentary from Schueler adds to the uncertainty, and many are left wondering how the case will develop, especially with the added pressure of international law enforcement’s involvement.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2024 | SEC Files Lawsuit | SEC alleges Schueler raised over $1 billion through unregistered crypto offerings. |
| Sept 13, 2024 | Remand Order Issued | Finnish authorities issued a remand order for Schueler in relation to tax evasion and assault. |
| Sept 18, 2024 | Finnish Authorities Speak Out | Detective Harri Saaristola confirms discrepancies in Schueler’s income reporting. |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Schueler Addresses Critics on Social Media | Schueler posts on X, addressing critics while referring to his charitable efforts. |
| Dec 2024 | Red Notice Issued | Interpol issues global alert for Schueler due to tax fraud and assault allegations. |
Author’s Opinion
While the accusations against Richard Schueler are severe, the full extent of his legal battles remains uncertain. His ability to avoid direct public commentary raises questions, and his social media posts, which focus on defiance and success, suggest that he might believe these legal issues will blow over. However, with the involvement of both U.S. regulators and Interpol, Schueler’s position may become increasingly difficult to maintain. If the charges are proven true, it could signal a broader shift in how authorities handle high-profile crypto figures in the future.
Featured image credit: FMT
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