On Monday, May 4, 2026, a Puerto Rico resident, identified as D.B., filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Coinbase Global, Inc., Coinbase, Inc., and a John Doe defendant described as an international cybercriminal, alleging cryptocurrency theft and seeking recovery of stolen funds.

According to the complaint, D.B. was targeted on August 20, 2024, in a “sophisticated” theft involving DAI stablecoins. The filing says the funds were taken from D.B.’s Ethereum-based wallet after the victim was directed to an alleged phishing scheme known as “Inferno Drainer,” which purportedly mimicked the DefiSaver login page.

The complaint asserts that the John Doe defendant operated an ongoing criminal enterprise, invoking the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). D.B. alleges racketeering activity, including wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.

D.B. also brings a claim under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, alleging the defendant intentionally accessed D.B.’s protected computers and hardware wallet without authorization, causing more than $5,000 in damages. Additional claims include conversion against both the cybercriminal and Coinbase, with Coinbase accused of exercising dominion over allegedly frozen assets after D.B. notified the company of the theft and allegedly refused to return funds absent a court order.

The complaint further seeks declaratory relief against Coinbase, asking the court to confirm D.B. as the rightful owner of the identified frozen cryptocurrency and to order immediate possession. It also alleges unjust enrichment and requests constructive trust and equitable lien remedies. D.B. seeks claim-and-delivery relief to obtain immediate control of specific frozen cryptocurrency

Blockchain analysis, the complaint says, traced a portion of the stolen funds to a Coinbase retail account where they remain frozen.

D.B. is requesting compensatory damages, treble damages under RICO, restitution, and court-ordered return of the assets, and has demanded a jury trial.

Please contact BlockTribune for access to a copy of this filing.