Beverly Hills man, 24, accused of paying thousands in bitcoin in failed plot to hire hitman to kill his ex

A Beverly Hills, California, man was arrested Friday, accused of paying thousands of dollars in bitcoin to hire a hitman to kill a woman he briefly dated, according to reports.

The suspect, identified as Scott Quinn Berkett, 24, allegedly sent $13,000 in bitcoin payments between April 5 and May 5 in the suspected murder-for-hire scheme, along with another $1,000 wired to an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman, authorities said.  Berkett allegedly found a group advertising homicidal services on the dark web last month. After he allegedly tried to set up the hit, the release said the group, which the FBI believes was a scam, called a news organization. The media outlet then contacted the FBI, giving the agency Berkett’s screenname "Ula77" and documentation of payments, an affidavit said.  "The information provided [to the dark web group] was specific about the identity and location of [his intended victim], as well as social media accounts, nicknames, email, and a distinctive tattoo" the intended victim has, the affidavit said.