Shane Donovan Moore, a former semi-professional rugby player from Seattle, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for orchestrating a $900,000 crypto mining Ponzi scheme, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Operating under the name Quantum Donovan LLC between January 2021 and October 2022, Moore lured over 40 investors, many of them fellow rugby players, by promising 1% daily returns from non-existent crypto mining rigs.
Instead of purchasing mining equipment, Moore diverted funds to personal accounts, splurging on luxury apartments, designer items, and electronics, while using portions of the money to repay early investors and maintain the illusion of returns.
Moore used the newness of cryptocurrency to commit an age-old fraud, a Ponzi scheme, said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller in a press release.
Lavish spending and classic ponzi tactics
Instead of deploying funds into mining rigs, Moore used investor money to finance a lavish lifestyle buying luxury apartments, designer luggage, electronics, and other personal goods. He also recycled funds to pay earlier investors, creating the illusion of legitimate profits and attracting more participants.
Moore specifically targeted fellow rugby players and close contacts across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Connecticut, and New Jersey, exploiting personal trust within his athletic network. Victims lost over $387,000 collectively, while others were repaid in small amounts to keep the scam going.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin highlighted the emotional and psychological harm inflicted on victims’ damage that went beyond financial loss.
Moore was also ordered to pay restitution, though the terms of repayment were not disclosed.
Crypto fraud continues to climb in 2025
Moore’s sentencing comes as crypto-related scams surge globally. According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Mid-Year Crypto Crime Report, over $2.17 billion has already been stolen this year surpassing 2024’s total.
Just weeks earlier, two executives behind OmegaPro were charged for running a $650 million global Ponzi scheme, luring investors with flashy lifestyles and blocking withdrawals in 2023.
Moore now joins a growing list of fraudsters caught amid a tightening net of federal enforcement across the crypto investment space.