The police authorities of Montenegro have nabbed the co-founder of FutureNet for an alleged cryptocurrency fraud plan that looted around $21 million.
According to the details shared by the Police Directorate of the country’s capital, Podgorica, Roman Ziemian was found to be living under a false identity in Podgorica.
FutureNet founders have arrest warrants in South Korea and Poland
Details from the official statement reveal that Ziemian is already one of the most wanted persons and has arrest warrants from Poland as well as South Korea. The authorities stated that he is suspected of criminal offenses in the economic crime field, including large scale fraud, money laundering, theft and violations of the law.
Roman also faces a potential life sentence in South Korea. Ziemian and Stephan Morgenstern co-founded FutureNet in 2014. The company even paid a high commission for those who brought in other investors. Even though they were confined to selling digital ad packages, they also launched their native token in 2018.
FutureNet is accused of stealing over $21 million in crypto
The duo is suspected of stealing over $21 million in crypto. The authorities identified that Ziemian was living under a false identity and captured him. Even though Ziemian was arrested in 2022 in Italy, he escaped from house arrest and moved to another country.
Additionally, the police seized items and devices that were allegedly used for the crime. The multilevel marketing scheme collapsed alongside its native token, FuturoCoin (FTO).
A warning was issued by Poland in 2019 that FutureNet has all the characteristics of a pyramid scheme. The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKIK) even stated that the firm was selling packages starting from $10 to $10,000 with the promise of profits for bringing in other investors.
Additionally, Korean authorities accused the duo of scamming almost 1,000 Korean investors. This is when Interpol decided to weigh in and issue a red notice. Earlier reports also stated that these duos even had passports from Gambia that allowed them to travel to over 80 countries.