**News Flash: Forcount Ponzi Scheme Promoter Sentenced**
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that Juan Tacuri, a senior promoter of the Forcount Ponzi scheme, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The scheme, later rebranded as Weltsys, primarily targeted Spanish-speaking communities worldwide.
- **Restitution and Supervision**: Tacuri must pay $3.6 million in restitution and will face one year of supervised release post-prison.
- **Fraudulent Operations**: Forcount falsely claimed to be a crypto mining and trading company, luring victims with promises of high returns.
- **Lavish Deception**: Promoters hosted extravagant events to attract investors, but funds were misused on luxury items and real estate.
- **Legal Actions**: Tacuri pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in June 2024. Other promoters have also faced charges.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that this case is a stark reminder that fraud does not pay.