Paul Le Roux

November 21, 2023 - Around 3 mins mins to read

Paul Le Roux is a mysterious figure who some believe could be the real Satoshi Nakamoto. Le Roux is a cryptographer, a mastermind of international crime, and a former informant for the DEA. He was born in Zimbabwe in 1972 to unknown parents and was adopted by a young couple who later moved to South Africa. During his teenage years, Le Roux developed a strong interest in the emerging field of computers and quickly gained programming skills. He found employment as a programmer in the UK, U.S., and Australia.

Le Roux developed an encryption software called E4M (Encryption for the Masses), which aimed to provide enhanced privacy for disk storage to the public. He strongly believed in protecting privacy from governments around the world. After a divorce, he moved several times to Hong Kong and then the Netherlands, working on encryption projects for various companies.

Le Roux went on to create a series of websites dedicated to online prescription services, offering customers access to prescription drugs under questionable circumstances. His company, RX Limited, became highly profitable, potentially generating millions in sales through these websites. He expanded his business ventures, including land leasing in Zimbabwe and logging operations in the Congo. Eventually, he settled in Manila, Philippines, where he oversaw his growing empire, involved in illicit activities such as arms trafficking, drug and gold smuggling, and money laundering through a network of shell companies he established.

Over time, Le Roux transformed into a leader of a cartel, accumulating a significant number of hired gunmen and firearms, all while managing his operations from his compound in Manila. At some point, the DEA approached him, and he became an informant on global criminal activities. However, this cooperation did not protect him from ongoing investigations and eventual prosecution. Le Roux was arrested in Liberia by Liberian police and DEA agents after a cocaine and methamphetamine deal with a Colombian cartel, which was actually an undercover DEA operation. In 2020, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the U.S. for his involvement in RX Limited and his global criminal enterprises.

With a criminal record that could rival a character from a James Bond film, Paul Le Roux’s actions were surrounded by secrecy. Despite his transformation into a murderer and an international crime boss, many speculate that his coding and encryption skills make him a strong candidate for being the true identity behind Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. While the real Satoshi Nakamoto may forever remain unknown, Paul Le Roux will continue to be a prominent figure on the list of potential identities.