According to CoinDesk, Juan Tacuri, a key promoter in the Forcount crypto ponzi scheme, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the scam that defrauded investors globally of a total $8.4 million. The 46-year-old Florida resident admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Southern District of New York (SDNY). This charge could potentially lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. As part of his plea deal, Tacuri has agreed to return nearly $4 million to his victims and forfeit real estate bought with the victims' funds.
Tacuri, along with other promoters, had assured investors that their investments in Forcount, a supposed crypto mining and trading company, would double within six months. However, prosecutors revealed that Forcount was not involved in any mining or trading activities. Instead, Tacuri and his associates were using the money from new investors to repay earlier investors and enrich themselves, splurging on luxury goods and real estate.
Tacuri was known to travel across the U.S., hosting extravagant expos to attract new investors. He lured them with promises of 'achieving financial freedom' and flaunted his earnings by wearing designer clothing at these events. In 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed civil charges against Tacuri and three other members of the scheme for violating the Securities Act. This action was parallel to the criminal charges against Tacuri and his associates in New York.
In the previous year, two other Forcount promoters were arrested and charged with fraud for their involvement in the scheme. Tacuri is scheduled to be sentenced in New York on Sept. 24 by District Judge Analisa Torres, who is also overseeing the SEC's suit against crypto firm Ripple.