American promoter involved in the Forcount crypto Ponzi scheme has admitted to participating in a wire fraud conspiracy. Juan Tacuri, a 46-year-old individual from Florida, has pleaded guilty to his role in the fraudulent scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.
Tacuri was described as one of the most successful promoters of the Forcount scheme, having made millions of dollars through his involvement in the fraud. He now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and is set to be sentenced on September 24th.
As part of his guilty plea, Tacuri has agreed to forfeit nearly $4 million in victim funds and any real estate that was purchased with those funds. The Forcount scheme, which later rebranded as Weltsys, targeted Spanish-speaking populations and promised investors profits in exchange for their purchase of crypto investment products.
Tacuri used extravagant expos to lure victims into investing in the scheme, including events in the Southern District of New York. He would encourage attendees to invest for “financial freedom” and would boast about his own earnings. The events were described as lively and exciting, designed to generate enthusiasm among potential investors.
Money from victims was collected through various means, including cash, checks, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. However, most investors were unable to withdraw any profits and ended up losing their entire investments. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the impact of Tacuri’s actions on retail investors, highlighting the misuse of victim funds for personal gain.
Williams stated, “Tacuri brought in millions of dollars in victim funds — funds the victims could not afford to lose — and spent it lavishly on luxury goods and real estate. This office will continue to pursue individuals like Tacuri who engage in Ponzi schemes, especially when they target vulnerable individuals who are facing financial difficulties.”