A Belgian crypto investor who vanished with the life savings of local businessmen while feeding caviar to his chickens has been arrested in the United States.

Cain Ransbottyn, 47, from the city of Antwerp, was detained by US immigration officials in Las Vegas on 22nd May.

He had been wanted in Belgium for suspected money laundering and was already convicted in 2022 for tax fraud and misappropriating assets.

Picture shows the food that Cain Ransbottyn gave to his chickens, undated. He was arrested in the USA. Note: Private photo taken from local media.(Newsflash/NX)

A Belgian court later ordered him to repay EUR 1.17 million (GBP 998,000) to one of his victims in October 2023.

Despite the claims against him, Ransbottyn flaunted a luxury lifestyle online, posting pictures of champagne dinners, supercars and, in one widely shared image, feeding caviar to his prized silkies.

Picture shows Cain Ransbottyn, undated. He was arrested in the USA. Note: Private photo taken from local media.(Newsflash/NX)

He wrote alongside the photo: "Only the best for my silkies."

One businessman who invested EUR 950,000 (GBP 811,000) with him said he was initially paid interest before the payments stopped in 2022.

The investor, from Flanders, said Ransbottyn later claimed he was being hunted by the Russian mafia for losing EUR 10 million (GBP 8.5 million) of their money.

He said: "The fact that he could deceive me like this—after I've worked hard for twenty years, often very long days to save this money—has broken me.

Picture shows Cain Ransbottyn, undated. He was arrested in the USA. Note: Private photo taken from local media.(Newsflash/NX)

"I had to see a psychologist."

Before turning to cryptocurrency, Ransbottyn had been known for blogging and co-founding the site 'Clint', as well as having worked in the adult entertainment industry.

Belgian prosecutors confirmed legal proceedings are underway and said they are working with US authorities to bring him back for trial.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)