A Brazilian federal judge has ordered the dismissal of criminal charges against Johann Steynberg, the late CEO of Bitcoin Ponzi scheme Mirror Trading International (MTI), after a police investigation confirmed reports of his death.

Steynberg's death certificate has been added to the case file. Immediately after the news was revealed, some of the victims smeared the claims. Some believed Steynberg may have faked his death.

The move comes after it was revealed in May that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was investigating MTI’s co-conspirators in a scam orchestrated by the late Steynberg. NPA media relations director Isaac Dludlu said the agency was considering several charges, including fraud and forgery.