Apr 9, 2025
A 22-year-old woman avoided the threat of deportation — only to be arraigned for theft-related charges, and she might still pocket a million dollars stolen from her Miami ex-boyfriend's crypto wallet.
Private investigator David Bolton, whom the victim hired to recover his funds, told 7News Miami that Michael Anthony Bravo met Maissa Jebali in June 2024. The two embarked on a tumultuous relationship that ended abruptly. While Bravo slept, Jebali allegedly transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars from his crypto wallet into her own.
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Now, Bolton said he believes the entire relationship was a setup to steal from his client.
“It looks like this was a con from day one,” Bolton told 7News Miami.
Although this case appears to be an isolated incident, cryptocurrency is not immune to theft. So, how can you protect yourself from a similar situation?
How did she get the crypto?
The key question is how Jebali gained access to Bravo’s account credentials.
Bolton said Bravo met Jebali last summer and they began dating. When Bravo decided to end the relationship, Jebali allegedly made her move — one Bolton said he believes had been planned from the start.
“He fell asleep on his yacht, and she grabbed his AmEx credit card, and she was able to access his crypto accounts through his phone and transfer $850,000 worth of crypto, TrumpCoin, into her own crypto wallet,” Bolton said.
In addition to stealing nearly a million dollars in crypto, Jebali also used Bravo's credit card to spend more than $4,000 on an Airbnb, according to an arrest record. Bravo then hired Bolton to track down the ex-girlfriend and, hopefully, recover the stolen funds.
“We found her two days later in downtown Miami at a hotel. We notified the City of Miami Police,” Bolton said.
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Police arrested Jebali, but that led to a new problem. After appearing in court, she was handed over to immigration officials, who plan to deport the Tunisian national. However, since Jebali holds the passkey to the stolen funds, she retains full control over them. However, Jebali has not been charged in connection to the cryptocurrency transactions.
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How to keep your crypto funds safe
Crypto wallets store digital assets, allowing users to send, receive, and manage funds securely. These wallets rely on private keys, which are unique passcodes that grant access to funds. Unlike traditional passwords, private keys cannot be reset if lost.
Many online (hot) wallets allow for quick transactions using saved credentials or linked payment methods. However, this convenience makes them vulnerable if someone gains access to your phone or financial accounts.
That’s likely what happened to Bravo. If his crypto wallet had been linked to his phone and credit card, Jebali could have accessed it by stealing his AmEx card and phone while he was sleeping.
Unlike traditional bank accounts, crypto transactions aren't easily reversible. Once funds are transferred, there is no central authority to recover them.
That’s why securing your wallet is so critical. Here's how:
Use a hardware wallet for large amounts of crypto
Hot wallets (connected to the internet) are convenient but more vulnerable to hacking and fraud. If you hold a significant amount of crypto, consider using a hardware wallet, also called a cold wallet. These store your assets offline, making them much harder to steal.
Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is essential for securing crypto accounts, traditional bank accounts and even email. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification before accessing your funds.
Limit physical access to your devices
Even trusted individuals can exploit access to your phone or computer. To protect your funds, set up strong passcodes, enable biometric locks and activate remote wipe features in case your device is lost or stolen.
Monitor transactions and set up alerts
Regularly check your crypto balances and enable real-time alerts. This will help you spot suspicious activity faster.
Because cryptocurrency is deregulated, recovering lost or stolen funds is nearly impossible. That’s why prevention is key. By taking the proper precautions, you can help keep your assets safe — and avoid waking up to an empty wallet.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
