Forcount Ponzi Scheme Promoter Juan Tacuri Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Juan Tacuri Sentenced for Forcount Ponzi Scheme

On October 15, the United States Department of Justice announced that Juan Tacuri, a key promoter behind the notorious Forcount Ponzi scheme, now known as Weltsys, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. This significant sentencing highlights the ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent operations in the cryptocurrency space.

Details of the Sentencing

Tacuri was not only given a lengthy prison term but was also ordered to pay an astonishing $3,610,718 in restitution. Following his prison time, he will undergo an additional year of supervised release.

Targeting Vulnerable Communities

The fraudulent activities of Tacuri predominantly targeted Spanish-speaking communities globally. As pointed out by United States Attorney Damian Williams, Tacuri's representation of himself as a participant in cryptocurrency investing was nothing more than a cover for classic Ponzi scheme operations.

Fraudulent Operations Unveiled

The Justice Department revealed that the founders and promoters of Forcount misled potential customers by marketing the company as a legitimate crypto mining and trading firm. Tacuri and his colleagues lured investors by promising substantial, regular payouts from the non-existent operations of Forcount.

• Extravagant promotional events were held across the United States to attract investors.
• Promises were made to double investments within a span of six months.
• In reality, there were no legitimate products or payouts; instead, stolen funds were channelled into luxury lifestyles, including high-end purchases in real estate.

Chronology of Events

According to legal documents, customer complaints about withdrawal problems surfaced as early as 2018. By 2021, the promoters had stopped responding to these grievances altogether, further deepening the frustrations of the victims.

Legal Developments

In 2022, U.S. prosecutors unsealed charges against Francisley da Silva, the founder of Forcount. Subsequently, in June 2024, Tacuri pled guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy. Following this, in July, fellow promoters Antonia Perez Hernandez and Nestor Nunez also entered guilty pleas to similar charges.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Juan Tacuri serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of engaging in fraudulent activity, especially in the often-unregulated cryptocurrency investment landscape. As the Justice Department continues to investigate and prosecute such cases, it emphasizes that fraudsters, no matter how sophisticated their operations may seem, will ultimately face the law.