Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Richard James Schueler, also known as Richard Heart, founder of Hex and PulseChain, over allegations of tax fraud and assault.
Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Richard James Schueler, also known as Richard Heart, founder of Hex and PulseChain, over allegations of tax fraud and assault. Finnish authorities claim Schueler evaded taxes between June 2020 and April 2024, allegedly amounting to hundreds of millions of euros. The notice, which facilitates provisional arrest for extradition, follows a remand order issued in September. Schueler is also listed on Europol’s most wanted criminals, accused of assaulting a 16-year-old by dragging them by their hair and striking them, resulting in injuries.
Finnish investigators have pointed to significant discrepancies in Schueler’s reported income and estimates by the country’s tax service. The charges align with accusations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which claims Schueler raised over $1 billion through unregistered securities linked to Hex, PulseChain (PLS), and PulseX (PSLX). Schueler has sought to dismiss the SEC’s lawsuit, but the agency insists it has jurisdiction, arguing that he promoted these tokens with promises of financial gains.
As legal pressures mount, Schueler has remained active online, indirectly referencing the allegations. On Dec. 21, he posted, “If the haters really wanted to get me down, they could raise more than the $27M I did for medical research.” In another post, he wrote, “It feels great to be wanted. Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.” These statements have drawn criticism as dismissive of the serious charges he faces.
News of the Red Notice has significantly affected the cryptocurrency market, with Hex (HEX) losing 25% of its value. The token has already plummeted more than 99% from its all-time high of $0.5561. Despite the financial and legal setbacks, Schueler continues emphasizing his philanthropic contributions and claims to improve the world, often positioning himself as misunderstood by critics.
The international attention surrounding Schueler is growing, with both Interpol and Europol involved in pursuing the case. Although a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, it increases scrutiny and pressure on Schueler, complicating his legal and public standing.
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