[vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”The US Department of justice announced that it has accused the operators of a cryptocurrency ponzi scheme of fraud and money laundering.“][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_heading title=”A $ 20 million fake company” size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”Five suspects have been charged for their alleged role in the activities of a fraudulent money laundering network, tricking people around the world into investing in AirBit Club, which was allegedly a cryptocurrency mining and trading company.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”Acting US attorney for the Southern district of New York Audrey Strauss said the work done by the US Internal security investigation Service (HSI) was crucial in bringing charges against five alleged criminals:”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”“It is alleged that the defendants give a modern look to a long-standing investment Scam by promising extraordinary rates of guaranteed profit from phantom investments in cryptocurrencies. Thanks to HSI, the accused are in custody and face serious criminal charges.“”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_heading title=”The founders were buying luxury cars, jewelry and real estate” size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4020″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”“These alleged scammers did their best to sell their scheme to their victims through enticing recruitment activities, and then shamelessly used the proceeds of their scheme to recruit additional victims, through even more aggressive and generous marketing moves.“”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”It is reported that more than $ 20 million was laundered during the operation.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”The indictment alleges that Rodriguez, DOS Santos, Hughes, Millan and Aguilar participated in a scheme that defrauded investors by promising guaranteed profits from club membership.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”Since the end of 2015, this operation has been advertised as a multi-level marketing club in the cryptocurrency industry, whose members will receive passive daily profits from mining and trading crypto assets.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”The five accused allegedly traveled across America, as well as to countries in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe, hosting “lavish exhibitions“ and presentations advertising AirBit Club membership.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”Potential members had to purchase a membership for cash and could only see their daily earnings through an online portal. Participants could see their constantly growing profits on the portal, but it was reported that these figures were completely false, and that mining or trading of cryptocurrencies was not actually performed.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_heading title=”Victims tried to withdraw funds” size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”The justice Department also reports that since 2016, victims have struggled to withdraw money from their online portals.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”The organizers of the scheme offered various excuses and imposed exorbitant “hidden commissions“, which made up almost half of the processed conclusions, and were naturally misappropriated.”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_paragraph text=”Charges of electronic fraud and money laundering carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while charges of Bank fraud can result in a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
