The US Securities and Exchange Commission charged today brothers Jonathan and Tanner Adam with running a $60 million Ponzi scheme under the cover of a cryptocurrency investment opportunity.

This August 27, 2024-dated case shows that challenges continue to be afoot for investors in the fast, wild world of cryptocurrencies. The brothers were said to have promised unbelievable value returns, which lured more than 80 investors into their scheme of a high-flyer trading bot that never truly existed.

The Scheme Unraveled

The complaint by the SEC alleges that between January of 2023 and June of this year, the Adams reported their proprietary bot had monthly returns of 13.5%. They told investors their money would be used in a “lending pool,” where flash loans would buy securities and sell for easy profits.

According to the SEC, the trading bot was a mirage, and the trading strategy a fabricated scheme. The brothers are further accused of not using the money in investment. Instead, the two allegedly deflected most of the money for their expensive lifestyles, the most noticeable being two luxury vehicles and a multi-million dollar condominium.

Luxury Life Through Fraud

The United States Lawyers Office reports that out of the $ 61.5 million, $53.9 million was diverted by the Adams. They spent the money on extravagant purchases hence investors ended up receiving less than what they had invested.

Most of the money was used to pay earlier investors, Ponzi-style, a telltale indication of a scam. The SEC moved to freeze the assets of the brothers and also sought permanent injunctions of their companies, GCZ Global, LLC, and Triten Financial Group LLC.

Total crypto market cap at $2.16 trillion on the daily chart: TradingView.com

Background Hidden

Now, the case becomes murkier with the shocking disclosure of the background of Jonathan Adam. He is also said to have fabricated his background to charm investors, covering up three past convictions for securities fraud.

The pretense escalated the more serious charges against him and his brother. It was a “virtually nonexistent” risk, they told the investors, compounding the betrayal of trust.

Indeed, the work done by the SEC stands as a powerful reminder of the risks investors take in crypto, particularly in a market rife with scams.

More Broad-Based Consequences For Crypto Investments

This isn’t a case of the Adams but rather a broader reflection of the cryptocurrency sphere. According to blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, in 2022 alone, a total of $7.8 billion was pocketed by Ponzi actors and other rackets globally.

The SEC crackdown on the Adams indicates just how careful investors must be when spending and doing due diligence before investing money. With multiple cryptocurrencies still maturing into the market, potential fraud is huge.

The speedy prosecution of the case goes back to its concern of providing protection to the investor and maintaining market integrity. As the crypto landscape continues to grow, regulatory oversight increases all the more in importance.

It becomes incumbent on investors to remain vigilant in order to wade through this complex and often dangerous landscape. The charges against Jonathan and Tanner Adam serve notice to those who feel tempted to invest in cryptocurrency and other online investment opportunities that, indeed, all that glitters is not gold.

Featured image from Entrepreneur, chart from TradingView



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