Richard Heart, the founder of the cryptocurrency project Hex, is now wanted by Interpol following allegations of tax fraud and assault. Heart, whose real name is Richard Schueler, is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, which signifies that he is provisionally wanted globally.
While the notice does not serve as an international arrest warrant, it allows law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and detain him. Finnish authorities are actively pursuing Heart as part of their investigation into the charges against him.
Allegations of assault against a minor
One of the most serious accusations against Richard Heart involves an alleged assault on a 16-year-old girl. According to reports published on Europe’s most wanted website, Heart physically attacked the victim by dragging her into a stairwell, where he knocked her to the ground. The reports state that he punched her multiple times in the face, nose, and head while she lay on her back, leaving her with visible injuries, including bleeding, swelling, and broken skin. The victim’s clothing was also bloodstained, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Accusations of tax fraud
In addition to the assault charges, Heart is accused of tax fraud spanning several years. Authorities allege that Heart failed to report significant income earned through his business ventures, avoiding tax payments amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars between June 2020 and April 2024. The allegations claim that Heart neglected to file business tax returns and omitted key income information from pre-filled personal tax forms, violating Finnish tax laws. Investigators have noted discrepancies between Heart’s reported income and estimates provided by Finland’s tax service.
Ongoing legal challenges in the united states
Richard Heart’s legal troubles extend beyond Europe. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of raising over $1 billion through the unregistered sale of crypto products, including Hex, PulseChain (PLS), and PulseX (PLSX). The SEC claims that Heart misled investors by promoting these tokens as opportunities for wealth creation. Heart has denied these claims and attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, but the legal battle remains unresolved.
Despite the mounting legal issues, Heart maintains an active social media presence. With the Interpol Red Notice and the SEC lawsuit still pending, authorities suggest it may only be a matter of time before Heart is apprehended.