Is stealing bitcoins illegal?

[IsaacDestruction]

For example, if I mislead someone into sending me a large amount of bitcoins (in the United States) would that be illegal?

If I did not force them to do anything, but they sent them anticipating me to send a product in return, but I never send it.

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

[1714614867]

1714614867

[1714614867]

1714614867

[1714614867]

1714614867

[1714614867]

1714614867

[Bitcoin Magazine]

if stealing makes u feel better and more complete on the inside by all means do it

[qwk]

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

A crime is a crime, be there evidence or not.

So the answer is yes.

[Soros Shorts]

For example, if I mislead someone into sending me a large amount of bitcoins (in the United States) would that be illegal?

If I did not force them to do anything, but they sent them anticipating me to send a product in return, but I never send it.

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

You might be able to get away with it, but it would definitely be illegal.

[Dabs]

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

A crime is a crime, be there evidence or not.

So the answer is yes.

So, by saying that, you're saying that stealing bitcoin or misleading someone into giving you bitcoin is a crime. With that opinion set in stone, that would also mean that stealing a rare virtual sword in a MMO is also a crime?

Both are crimes.

In the MMO, you will probably get killed unless you are in a non-PVP server. Or banned if the other guy complains and a game master or admin thinks you committed the crime.

If you stole it from a MOB or NPC, maybe that's part of the game.

If you stole it from a player, that player or his guild or his friends may try to get it back. Depends on the rules of the MMO. Maybe you are a thief, or necromancer or whatever. Then the whole world hates you anyway.

In this forum, someone will attempt to dox you. Someone else may then attempt to hunt you down.

In the after life, if you believe in it, you will be damned for all eternity. Unless you confess and repent.

[Q7]

Not sure about the legal part if the law in the country did not clearly touch on crypto payment but one thing for sure it's definitely morally wrong.

Hmm. I see an interesting topic for debate by the OP especially on the anonymity of the address owner

[Soros Shorts]

In the US, if the item misappropriated has monetary value then it is a crime. For example, if the value of the sword is > $400-$1000 then in many states it would be considered grand larceny.

[Grand_Voyageur]

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

A crime is a crime, be there evidence or not.

So the answer is yes.

So, by saying that, you're saying that stealing bitcoin or misleading someone into giving you bitcoin is a crime. With that opinion set in stone, that would also mean that stealing a rare virtual sword in a MMO is also a crime?

Probably Yes. If someone put an economic value in it, maybe because such sword was bought with real bucks (or even with BTC), this is a crime. I'm not sure if nobody put an economic value it this was also a crime, but maybe in some jurisdictions this is also a crime. Also if to steal such a sword you illegally access a computer/network/etc or abuse your access authorization this is another crime for which you will be held responsible.

[qwk]

A crime is a crime, be there evidence or not.

So, by saying that, you're saying that stealing bitcoin or misleading someone into giving you bitcoin is a crime. With that opinion set in stone, that would also mean that stealing a rare virtual sword in a MMO is also a crime?

Taking anything of value from someone else without their explicit consent is considered a crime under most jurisdictions on this planet.
Again, the answer is yes.

Value does not even have to necessarily be monetary, eg. the ashes from your grandmother may not have monetary value, but taking them from you will usually be punishable by law.

[Jamie_Boulder]

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

A crime is a crime, be there evidence or not.

So the answer is yes.

So, by saying that, you're saying that stealing bitcoin or misleading someone into giving you bitcoin is a crime. With that opinion set in stone, that would also mean that stealing a rare virtual sword in a MMO is also a crime?

Both are crimes.

In the MMO, you will probably get killed unless you are in a non-PVP server. Or banned if the other guy complains and a game master or admin thinks you committed the crime.

If you stole it from a MOB or NPC, maybe that's part of the game.

If you stole it from a player, that player or his guild or his friends may try to get it back. Depends on the rules of the MMO. Maybe you are a thief, or necromancer or whatever. Then the whole world hates you anyway.

In this forum, someone will attempt to dox you. Someone else may then attempt to hunt you down.

In the after life, if you believe in it, you will be damned for all eternity. Unless you confess and repent.

Good explanation and I 100% agree, the authority you answer to is irrelevant as that's not defined in "crime"

[RodeoX]

Ok OP, I've just completed transfer of your bitcoin from the copy of the wallet file I just found on your computer. Now you tell me if I stole it or not.

It's always a lot clearer for the victim.  

[qwk]

In the MMO[…]
If you stole it from a MOB or NPC, maybe that's part of the game.

I'd so love to see that case in court "NPC Necromancer vs. PC 1337Haxx0R". PC found guilty of holdup murder

[shorena]

Alright, since the general consensus is that stealing bitcoins is illegal.
If I discontinue the use of communication with said person (from a way that can be linked back to my IP address) and continue the conversation on an anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, and tails, and then execute said plan, law enforcement would have no way to prove that it was me who committed the crime and I would not be held accountable due to lack of evidence that it was me, correct?

And that kids, is why we use ESCROW when dealing with complete strangers.

[Grand_Voyageur]

Alright, since the general consensus is that stealing bitcoins is illegal.
If I discontinue the use of communication with said person (from a way that can be linked back to my IP address) and continue the conversation on an anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, and tails, and then execute said plan, law enforcement would have no way to prove that it was me who committed the crime and I would not be held accountable due to lack of evidence that it was me, correct?

I think you're try to plan to steal BTC of something else with monetary value; so, I shall stop giving you legal help to avoid being held responsible of aiding someone to commit a crime.
Go earn legit BTC instead of trying to learn to be a scammer & thief.

[..]

And that kids, is why we use ESCROW when dealing with complete strangers.

+1. 

[QuestionAuthority]

Starting a new business?

It's technically illegal and immoral to steal from people. If you're starting a new theft business this is a good place to get your feet wet and try out new concepts. I would suggest you become a VIP member first. That seems to be the best way to block your identity. You can even stay on this forum after the theft and mock the people you stole from. Another good way to do it is move to Japan and go bankrupt. That will allow you to rent a posh apartment with your stolen money. The most profitable method so far has been to create a website, have everyone send you all their Bitcoins, announce that your hotwallet is stored online with a password like "qwerty"' then retire on the funds. Whatever you do stay away from Texas and never fly into JFK airport. Law enforcement seems to hang out in those locations.

[Grand_Voyageur]

Alright, since the general consensus is that stealing bitcoins is illegal.
If I discontinue the use of communication with said person (from a way that can be linked back to my IP address) and continue the conversation on an anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, and tails, and then execute said plan, law enforcement would have no way to prove that it was me who committed the crime and I would not be held accountable due to lack of evidence that it was me, correct?

I think you're try to plan to steal BTC of something else with monetary value; so, I shall stop giving you legal help to avoid being held responsible of aiding someone to commit a crime.
Go earn legit BTC instead of trying to learn to be a scammer & thief.

No, I just want to see if this is true. Because if it is, then the illegality of stealing bitcoins wouldn't even matter in retrospect. If you can simply anonymize your connection and not have anything linked back to you.

LEOs already have their ways to check anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, etc. don't be so dumb to assume to be untraceable and smarter then LEOs. By the way you confirmed with your own's word you wanto to be a scammer & thief.

[shorena]

Alright, since the general consensus is that stealing bitcoins is illegal.
If I discontinue the use of communication with said person (from a way that can be linked back to my IP address) and continue the conversation on an anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, and tails, and then execute said plan, law enforcement would have no way to prove that it was me who committed the crime and I would not be held accountable due to lack of evidence that it was me, correct?

And that kids, is why we use ESCROW when dealing with complete strangers.

But, would that statement that I posted be true?

I dont know. Encrypted mail with firstname.lastname@mycompany.com would certainly give some clues no matter how good your hid your IP. If you 3 days after the "incident" brag about it in school, there might be someone giving someone else a tipp. If you suddently have a lot more money and start buying fancy stuff, people might start asking questions. If you want to be a scammer, noone will teach you.

-snip-
No, I just want to see if this is true. Because if it is, then the illegality of stealing bitcoins wouldn't even matter in retrospect. If you can simply anonymize your connection and not have anything linked back to you.

It does not matter if you get caught or not. You allready know its wrong, why do you think you called it "stealing" in the first place? Because you know it is.

-snip-
LEOs already have their ways to check anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, etc. don't be so dumb to assume to be untraceable and smarter then LEOs. By the way you confirmed with your own's word you wanto to be a scammer & thief.

Realistically OP would probably get away with it depending on the amount in question. The only important question is what kind of person OP wants to be.

[Q7]

Alright, since the general consensus is that stealing bitcoins is illegal.
If I discontinue the use of communication with said person (from a way that can be linked back to my IP address) and continue the conversation on an anonymized, encrypted email, with TOR, a VPN, and tails, and then execute said plan, law enforcement would have no way to prove that it was me who committed the crime and I would not be held accountable due to lack of evidence that it was me, correct?

I think you're try to plan to steal BTC of something else with monetary value; so, I shall stop giving you legal help to avoid being held responsible of aiding someone to commit a crime.
Go earn legit BTC instead of trying to learn to be a scammer & thief.

[..]

And that kids, is why we use ESCROW when dealing with complete strangers.

+1. 

Lol i start to develop the same thinking as well. The more we brainstorm, the more ideas and methods are coming.

[DobZombie]

For example, if I mislead someone into sending me a large amount of bitcoins (in the United States) would that be illegal?

If I did not force them to do anything, but they sent them anticipating me to send a product in return, but I never send it.

Would this be considered illegal considering no one would know whether the bitcoin address that received the bitcoins was my address?

ask Pirateat40

He knows all about what's illegal...

[Dabs]

It is illegal. If you don't get caught in this world, you will be in the next. Whether you believe in local authority or the supreme authority is irrelevant.

The question you should ask yourself is, should I enjoy my temporal and earthly life on this planet in exchange for eternal damnation in the fires of hell? If you don't believe in hell, then you probably won't go there, but is that a chance you are willing to take?

Many crime cases remain unsolved. That does not make them not illegal.

Do you have a conscience? Or are you a cold blooded stealer? Still illegal.

Maybe you want to get into semantics, then you should look at the definition of the word: Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law.

There is at least one authority where stealing bitcoins is illegal. And that one has jurisdiction over everything everywhere. That you may be an atheist only says you don't believe in it, not that it doesn't really exist. Everyone else seems to subscribe to one religion or another.

But for you, maybe you like a life of always looking behind your shoulder, and hoping that the cops aren't there, or that guy you stole bitcoins from isn't about to slit your throat. (Murder is illegal too, but maybe he can get away with it, then tumble your corpse two or three times and completely anonymize what's left, so no one can identify you.)

The best way to do that is to strip the skin from your fingers so there are no prints, rip out the teeth so there are no dental records, and feed your chopped up body parts to other cold blooded reptiles.