Andy Greenberg, author of "Tracers in the Dark," stated that Tigran Gambaryan, a former prominent cryptocurrency crime investigator for the U.S. federal government detained by the Nigerian Government since February, is not receiving adequate medical treatment for malaria. Greenberg shared his statement in a May 31 post about Gambaryan, who is currently the head of financial crime compliance for the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
"If you read Tracers in the Dark, you know that Tigran Gambaryan was perhaps *the* most effective federal agent in the history of crypto crime investigations," said Greenberg. "Now he's been jailed in Nigeria for 3 months as a proxy for his employer, Binance, and denied proper medical treatment for malaria. It's well past time for the US to apply the pressure necessary to bring him home."
Gambaryan was invited to Nigeria for policy discussions with government officials in February but was detained by law enforcement. He is now facing charges for tax violations and money laundering. According to CoinDesk, Gambaryan collapsed during court proceedings on May 24, and a family spokesperson said they believe he is suffering from malaria and a severe throat infection. Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Gambaryan to be moved from Kuje Prison to a hospital for treatment, but he has not been moved.
Gambaryan's wife, Yuki, said, "I am begging everyone who can help, including our own American government, to recognize that an innocent man’s life is at risk. Please, at least let him go to the hospital so he can recover. But more importantly, let him come home to us." His next court appearance is scheduled for June 14.
Andrew Adams, a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP and a former acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), suggested that the US government should stop its discretionary forfeited fund sharing with Nigeria until Gambaryan is released. In an opinion authored by Adams, he noted that the DOJ shares funds resulting from international investigations related to cybersecurity, anti-terrorism, and cross-border money laundering as a means to foster international cooperation. In 2020, the DOJ transferred more than $310 million to Nigeria through this sharing program. "This should stop," Adams said. By halting the sharing program, the US government can express its "objection to Nigeria’s abuse of its police power" while withholding funds that could otherwise be going to "the very authorities now engaged in that abuse."
Researchers from Amnesty International described conditions in Nigerian prisons as "appalling," according to a press release from the organization. Cells are reportedly "squalid" and overcrowded with overflowing toilets that are "little more than holes in the floor." Disease is said to be "rampant" due to unsanitary and crowded conditions. Inmates reported they could only access medical staff and supplies if they had enough money for bribes.
For ten years, Gambaryan was a US federal agent who investigated cases related to national security issues such as terrorism financing and identity theft among others. According to Binance's website post, Binance hired him in 2021 to address historical compliance issues. In 2022 and 2023 alone, his team assisted law enforcement agencies globally in freezing and seizing more than $2.2 billion worth of assets.
Greenberg's book "Tracers in the Dark" details Gambaryan's career as a preeminent cyber crimes investigator.