Richard Schueler, better known as Richard Heart within crypto circles, has been added to Interpol's global wanted list through a Red Notice, triggering a steep 25% drop in his cryptocurrency project HEX.
Finnish authorities are seeking Schueler's arrest on tax fraud charges covering a period from June 2020 to April 2024. The case has escalated as Schueler now appears among Europe's most wanted fugitives, with authorities also citing disturbing assault allegations.
According to official documents, Schueler allegedly attacked a 16-year-old victim by "grabbing their hair, dragging them into the stairwell and knocking them to the ground."
The Red Notice, while not an international arrest warrant, serves as a global alert requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest Schueler. This development follows a remand order issued three months ago.
Despite mounting legal pressure, Schueler maintains an active social media presence. In a recent X post, he appeared to reference his situation indirectly, stating: "I really do the best I can to make the world a better place, and I must say, the world can be pretty unkind to folks making a difference." He also challenged critics to exceed his claimed $27 million in medical research contributions.
The cryptocurrency market reacted swiftly to the news, with HEX experiencing sharp losses. The token has now fallen more than 99% from its peak price of $0.5561, marking a dramatic decline for the once-popular cryptocurrency project.
While Schueler has not directly addressed the Red Notice, the combination of tax fraud allegations and assault charges has cast a dark shadow over both his reputation and his cryptocurrency venture.