Alleged Organizer of $165 Million Crypto Pyramid Scheme to Face Trial in U.S. After Deportation from Fiji

cryptonews.ruPublicado a 2026-08-18Actualizado a 2026-08-18

Resumen

Edward Zimbardi, the alleged organizer of a $165 million cryptocurrency pyramid scheme, has been deported from Fiji to the United States to face federal charges of fraud and money laundering. U.S. prosecutors allege that from June 2022 to August 2023, Zimbardi promoted "The Crypto Program," promising investors a 25% monthly return from advertising packages. Instead of purchasing these packages, he reportedly diverted over $34 million into risky forex trading, used new investor funds to pay earlier ones, and spent at least $10 million on personal expenses, including a house and luxury cars. After learning of an FBI investigation, Zimbardi fled to Fiji, where he remained for over a year before his deportation. He now faces 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and prosecutors are seeking his detention pending trial.

Edward Zimbardi, the alleged organizer of a $165 million crypto pyramid scheme, has returned to the United States following his deportation from Fiji and will appear in federal court on charges of fraud and money laundering.

On Monday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced that Fijian authorities had deported Zimbardi on Friday in coordination with the FBI and the U.S. Department of State. He was scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles, and prosecutors have requested he be detained pending trial in Georgia.

According to the prosecution, from June 2022 to August 2023, Zimbardi promoted a scheme called "The Crypto Program" as an investment in advertising packages with a guaranteed monthly return of 25%. Thousands of investors allegedly transferred over $165 million in cryptocurrency to wallets he secretly controlled.

Instead of purchasing advertising packages, the prosecution alleges Zimbardi invested over $34 million in risky foreign exchange trading, used funds from new investors to pay earlier ones, and spent at least $10 million on personal expenses, including a house, luxury cars, and alimony payments.

On July 8, Zimbardi was charged with 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the prosecution, he fled to Fiji upon learning of the FBI investigation and remained there for over a year.

Related: Former Goliath Ventures CEO Pleads Guilty in $400 Million Crypto Pyramid Scheme Case

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Preguntas relacionadas

QWho is the alleged organizer of the cryptocurrency pyramid scheme and what is he accused of?

AThe alleged organizer is Edward Zimbardi. He is accused of wire fraud and money laundering for operating a $165 million cryptocurrency pyramid scheme called 'The Crypto Program'.

QWhat was the promised return of 'The Crypto Program' and how much did investors reportedly send?

AThe program promised investors a guaranteed return of 25% per month. Investors allegedly transferred over $165 million in cryptocurrency to wallets Zimbardi secretly controlled.

QWhere was Edward Zimbardi deported from, and why was he there according to prosecutors?

AEdward Zimbardi was deported from Fiji. According to prosecutors, he fled to Fiji after learning about the FBI investigation and spent over a year there.

QWhat did prosecutors allege Edward Zimbardi did with the investors' money instead of buying advertising packages?

AProsecutors alleged that instead of buying advertising packages, Zimbardi used over $34 million for risky foreign exchange trading, used new investor funds to pay earlier investors (a Ponzi scheme), and spent at least $10 million on personal expenses like a house, luxury cars, and child support.

QHow many criminal counts is Edward Zimbardi facing, and where is he scheduled for a detention hearing?

AEdward Zimbardi is facing 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was scheduled for a detention hearing before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles.

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