Former Rugby Player Sentenced to 30 Months in $900K Crypto Mining Ponzi Scheme

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A former semi-professional rugby player has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for running a $900,000 cryptocurrency mining Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 40 investors across several states.

Shane Donovan Moore, 37, of Seattle, operated the fraudulent scheme from January 2021 to October 2022 under the name Quantum Donovan LLC. He claimed investor funds would be used to purchase cryptocurrency mining equipment and promised returns of 1% per day, which is an unsustainable offer with no real backing.

According to federal prosecutors, Moore never purchased any mining rigs. Instead, he used the money to fund his lifestyle, including luxury apartments, high-end electronics, and designer goods. He also used new investor funds to pay earlier investors in typical Ponzi fashion, creating the illusion of legitimate profits.

The scheme targeted investors from across Washington, Utah, Oregon, Connecticut, and New Jersey, with many victims recruited from Moore’s own rugby network. The Department of Justice reported that over $387,000 in losses came from individuals who personally knew and trusted Moore.

“This is a textbook example of an old scam wrapped in new tech,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. “Moore used the newness of cryptocurrency to commit an age-old fraud: a Ponzi scheme.”

During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin noted the emotional and financial toll Moore’s actions had on his victims. Many had invested substantial amounts based on trust and personal relationships. The court also ordered Moore to pay restitution, although specific repayment details were not disclosed.

Moore’s case is one among a growing number of fraud schemes tied to cryptocurrency investment platforms. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, over $2.17 billion in crypto was stolen in 2025 alone, surpassing the total from 2024. Ponzi-style scams remain a major source of losses, particularly those disguised as legitimate crypto mining or trading operations.