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NovaTech founders accused Ponzi of $1 billion cryptocurrency targeting Haitians

SatoshiTimes Staff

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NovaTech founders accused Ponzi of $1 billion cryptocurrency targeting Haitians

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New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing NovaTechFX, founders Cynthia and Eddy Petion along with others for allegedly operating a $1 billion Ponzi scheme targeting mostly Haitians in New York through prayer groups and speaking groups creole on social media.

NEW YORK – One of the founders of NovaTech, Eddy Petion, pretended to learn live on video that a fire had broken out in a mine in Paraguay. Another, Cynthia Petion, falsely claimed that the FBI had provided them with a 700-page report proving its legitimacy. Using the title “Reverend CEO,” Cynthia Petion also spoke of the mostly Haitian followers of her cryptocurrency project as “a cult” willing to believe anything to become millionaires.

“When asked where the money goes…keep it vague,” Cynthia Petion said. “They have no idea where the payment processor is sending it. You can finance a housing project, buy a new car, or fill your swimming pool with bitcoin.”

After years of such behavior, on June 6, authorities officially charged the pair with defrauding Haitians through their cryptocurrency investment platform. NovaTechFX. New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced that his office filed the lawsuit after an investigation revealed that over four years NovaTech allegedly defrauded at least 11,000 New York-based investors among hundreds of thousands worldwide, facilitated cryptocurrency transactions worth more than $1 billion dollars and traded only about $26 million.

Under accusation are Nova Tech; Cynthia Petion, CEO, and Eddy Petion, COO; and mainly AWS Mining. Others named in the lawsuit include top boosters and recruiters James Corbett, Martin Zizi and Frantz Ciceron; and several companies linked to the group: NovaTech Advisors, NovaPay, Kings Multi Services Agency, Trinity of Success and Positive Vision Marketing.

“Thousands of New Yorkers were falsely promised a better life if they simply trusted NovaTech and AWS Mining with their money, but it was all a lie,” James said in a press release. “They targeted minority communities, particularly Haitians, in prayer groups and WhatsApp group chats with advertisements in Creole and religious messages appealing to their faith.”

The announcement sparked new ramifications Monday in a Haitian community still processing the request EminiFX Crypto Fraud led by Eddy Alexandre who defrauded at least 25,000 investors of over $250 million. He, too, used the religious community and Creole-language spaces to recruit investors in what turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.

“People should not prey on our community,” senior pastor Sam Nicolas said Evangelical Crusader Christian Church in Brooklyn. “They should pray for our community.

How the NovaTech program worked

In the NovaTech case, prosecutors say, the Petions first worked through AWS Mining, where they were the top recruiters. The Australia-based company, which defunct in 2019, promised high returns for investors by “mining” cryptocurrency, a process by which specialized computers verify cryptocurrency transactions and generate new cryptocurrency.

When AWS Mining collapsed, Pezioni opened NovaTechFx, falsely claiming it was a hedge fund broker. They and their promoters also continued to use the name AWS Mining, this time falsely telling people that it was a real mining company extracting minerals from the earth as a source of revenue. Foreign exchange (FX) and cryptocurrency trading were other income streams, they said.

Corbett, Zizi and Ciceron allegedly helped Petions recruit thousands of people, including Haitians from New York and New Jersey, through numerous Zoom presentations, YouTube videos, WhatsApp and Telegram group chats, emails and in-person meetings to persuade their networks in the community.

Ciceron, for example, appeared in a weekly segment of the TV program Haiti Premiere Classe in 2018 and 2019. Corbett and Zizi, known as “Pastor Bob” and “Dr. Zizi,” respectively, often held prayer groups and so-called “opportunity calls” and “college lectures” in English and Creole The Petions also held at least one event at their home in West Islip, N.Y., and made presentations elsewhere in the area.

Overall, the accused made a series of false promises, including weekly profits of 2% to 4%, monthly returns of 15% to 20%, investment returns of 200% within 15 months, and bonuses for recruiting new investors. In reality, neither company ever generated enough profit to pay the promised profits and bonuses, the attorney general said. When NovaTech claimed to pay weekly trading profits, the funds actually came from other investors’ money, prosecutors said.

Even after the markets crashed in the spring of 2022, the lawsuit alleges, Petions maintained the charade of providing high returns on a weekly basis. Privately, they withdrew millions from NovaTech accounts, secretly sold their Florida home, and fled to Panama in June 2022.

When investors asked to cash out their crypto accounts, NovaTech initially made up elaborate lies to cover up their fraud. They extolled “faith over fear” as a mentality to prevent investors from making withdrawals. They also told crazy stories like the FBI report that Cynthia Petion said she burned herself after reading and the Paraguay mine fire. In that ploy to terminate the alleged mining contracts, prosecutors say, Eddy Petion pretended to receive a phone call, during a YouTube show, telling him that one of their mining farms had caught fire.

Cynthia Petion also allegedly told Zizi to flee the country, writing, “they can’t serve you if they can’t find you… lol.”

Illegal activity suspected for some time

Among the at least 200,000 investors who signed up until NovaTech’s collapse in May 2023 are 11,000 in New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Rockland and Orange counties.

“I preach all the time about pyramid scams,” Nicolas said, adding that he made a presentation warning the faithful. “I tell them: ‘magouyè if magouyè [scammers are scammers].”

Yet, people continue to join get-rich-quick schemes. From airline ownership to real estate flips, from fake nursing degrees to scam du jour to cryptocurrency, such affinity schemes thrive through trusted networks like prayer groups.

When the EminiFX case broke, Novatech was among the few platforms that commentators said law enforcement should investigate. Even in cryptocurrency circles, its legitimacy has been questioned.

Renold Julien, executive director of Konbit Neg Lakay, Rockland County’s Haitian/American community center, told the Haitian Times on Monday that these scams have been going on in the community for too long. Julien said a Haitian couple he met told him they had invested $69,000 in Novatech and were saving to buy a house.

“The guy, him and his wife, are crying,” Julien said. “Here in Rockland County, too many people have been exploited. It’s all they have after working two, three, four jobs.

“I’m happy that she [James] decided to follow the case,” he added. “This is exactly what Haitians need to understand. The more organized we are, the more results we can achieve for our employees.”

Investors privately vilified as ‘cult’

One noteworthy aspect of the Novatech narrative that prosecutors laid out in the complaint is the brazen attitude of major traders in allegedly disparaging Novatech investors for their lack of financial knowledge. While the defendants billed their company as a way to boost their financial position, they privately mocked would-be investors

Cynthia Petion renamed herself “Reverend CEO”, called herself and her husband “the visionaries”, and proclaimed that NovaTech was “God’s vision”. In private chats with Zizi, she called herself a “zoo keeper,” her investors were “a cult,” and she dismissed Zizi’s suggestion that NovaTech was like a country club.

“’In a club people know what they’re signing up for” while in NovaTech “people join and follow without thinking… They don’t think. I just agree with everything you say,’” Ms. Petion was quoted as saying.

And, while they touted “their plans as a train to “financial freedom” and “freedom from plantations,” the lawsuit dates back, Cynthia Petion said ‘[it’s] never those who grew up rich and invest in these programs.’

Zizi also once wrote to Cynthia Petion: “Some people will never see the vision you see at NovaTech… Focus and recruit the visionaries.”

Cynthia Petion would later respond, “They see it when you drive by in that Bentley.”

It is unclear where the defendants are located, although Petion may be living in Panama.

A message sent Monday via the NovatechFX site was not immediately returned. A phone number listed online for Cicero has been disconnected.

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US Cryptocurrency Rules Delayed by ‘Never-Ending’ Lawsuits

SatoshiTimes Staff

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Ripple Pledges $25 Million Per Year to Crypto Super PAC

Ripple CEO says cryptocurrency industry still seeking regulatory clarity from US

Speaking to Bloomberg News on Wednesday (July 17), Author: Brad Garlinghouse he said America is behind behind other countries which have already adopted cryptocurrency regulations.

“What we’re seeing, where it’s the UK, Japan, Singapore… even the European Union, more than two dozen countries have come together to provide a framework for cryptocurrency regulation,” Garlinghouse said.

“It’s frustrating that we as a country can’t get that regulatory framework in place. And instead, we have this never-ending lawsuit coming from the SEC that doesn’t really address the problem.”

Ripple has been the target of some of these legal disputes. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the company in 2020, accusing it of conducting a $1.3 billion operation offering of unregistered securities tied to its XRP token.

However, last year a judge ruled that only Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP, not retail sales, violated the law, a decision widely seen as a victory for the cryptocurrency industry.

As PYMNTS noted at the time, that ruling has “far-reaching repercussions impact across the digital asset ecosystem, which has long maintained that its tokens do not represent securities contracts.”

However, Garlinghouse told Bloomberg on Wednesday that the company cannot wage multimillion-dollar legal battles over each token.

He spoke to the news agency from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where the party is backing the candidacies of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, both of whom are considered pro-cryptocurrency.

But Garlinghouse argued that cryptocurrencies “should not be a partisan issue,” and noted that he had recently attended a conference in Washington that included Democrats, including White House officials.

“I think they were there, listening to the industry… it was refreshing to start having that conversation,” she said.

President Joe Biden earlier this year he vetoed a measure which would have ended the SEC’s special rules for crypto-asset custodians. This legislation was supported by both the digital asset industry and the banking industry.

Ripple early this year donated $25 million to the cryptocurrency industry’s super PAC Fair Smoothiewith Garlinghouse stating at the time that such donations would continue every year, as long as the industry had its detractors.

Second Open SecretsWhich monitor spending For campaigns, the PAC has spent $13.4 million this year, much of it to help defeat Rep. Katie Porter’s (D-Calif.) U.S. Senate campaign.



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The Future of Cybersecurity in the Cryptocurrency Industry

SatoshiTimes Staff

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The Future of Cybersecurity in the Cryptocurrency Industry

The cryptocurrency space has had a tumultuous journey, with its fair share of ups and downs. As we look to the future, one area that remains a constant focus is cybersecurity. The digital nature of cryptocurrencies makes them inherently vulnerable to cyber threats, and as the industry evolves, so does the landscape of potential risks.

In 2022, the cryptocurrency market faced significant challenges, with over $2 trillion in market value lost. This event served as a wake-up call for the industry, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures. The future of cryptocurrency security is expected to see a shift towards more regulated and established institutions taking the reins of crypto technology and blockchain infrastructure.

The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies offers numerous benefits, such as transparency and financial inclusion. However, it also introduces unique security challenges. The risk landscape is filled with threats such as hacking, phishing, ransomware attacks, malware, and social engineering. These threats not only lead to financial losses, but also damage the reputation and trust within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies offers many benefits, but it also presents unique security challenges. Cyber ​​risks such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware pose threats to the integrity of digital assets. The infrastructure that supports cryptocurrencies is not immune to vulnerabilities, including smart contract flaws and exchange hacks.

To address these vulnerabilities, the infrastructure that supports cryptocurrencies must be strengthened. Smart contract vulnerabilities, exchange hacks, wallet breaches, and flaws in the underlying blockchain technology are significant concerns that must be addressed to ensure the security and integrity of digital assets.

As cybercriminal tactics and techniques become more sophisticated, the cryptocurrency industry must stay ahead of the curve. The future will likely see more targeted attacks, exploiting weaknesses in infrastructure, networks, and human factors. This requires a proactive and multifaceted approach to cybersecurity.

To mitigate these risks, several measures must be adopted:

Strengthening security measures: Developers, exchanges, and wallet providers must improve security protocols, use strong encryption, implement multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security audits.

Education and awareness: Users should be educated on best practices for protecting their digital assets, including using strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using hardware wallets for secure storage.

Looking ahead, the cryptocurrency industry is expected to see an increased focus on robust security measures. Blockchain projects and exchanges are likely to invest in advanced encryption techniques and decentralized storage solutions to protect user assets. The future impact of cyber risk on cryptocurrencies will depend on the collective efforts of stakeholders to address vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures.

Collective efforts by stakeholders in the cryptocurrency space are crucial to address vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures. While challenges persist, advances in cybersecurity technologies and practices offer hope for a more secure and resilient cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The future of cybersecurity in the cryptocurrency industry depends on finding a balance between innovation and regulation. It requires a collaborative effort from all parties involved, from developers to end users, to create a secure environment that fosters trust and growth in the industry. As we move forward, it is critical that lessons learned from past events guide the development of stronger security measures, ensuring the longevity and stability of cryptocurrencies as a vital part of the modern economic toolkit.

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Bullish XRP and RLBK price predictions rise, outpacing the broader cryptocurrency market, prompting Shiba Inu holders to switch!

SatoshiTimes Staff

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Bullish XRP and RLBK price predictions rise, outpacing the broader cryptocurrency market, prompting Shiba Inu holders to switch!

Bitcoin’s one-week surge from $60,000 has pushed other cryptocurrencies into an uptrend. However, for many altcoins, this trend has been temporary. Altcoins such as XRP and Shiba Inu (SHIB) have experienced price drops. However, Rollblock, a new altcoin on the Ethereum blockchain, has thrived during this period, attracting thousands of investors looking for long-term growth.

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XRP is seeing further price decline as Ripple investors withdraw their profits from the token. The surge in XRP’s price to $0.64 in the past week has provided investors with a perfect opportunity to increase their returns in the short term. With the ongoing sell-off in XRP, XRP has jumped over 8% in the past day and is now trading at $0.59. However, analysts tracking XRP indicators predict that XRP could still extend its gains by over 30% in the coming weeks.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) marks its third consecutive day of losses

Shiba Inu (SHIB) is in a period of adjustment after a week of strong gains. In the last 24 hours, SHIB has seen a jump of over 7%, reflecting a natural market fluctuation. Analysts are observing a death cross on the Shiba Inu chart, which historically signals the potential for future opportunities as the market stabilizes. As investors explore new possibilities, some are diversifying into promising altcoins like Rollblock (RBLK) to strategically rebalance their portfolios and capitalize on the emerging trend.

Rollblock (RBLK) Up Another 7% as New Investors Join Pre-Sale

Rollblock (RBLK) has taken the cryptocurrency market by storm, having attracted investors from more popular altcoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and XRP. Rollblock’s growth is attributed to its utility in the $450 billion global gaming industry.

Rollblock aims to use blockchain technology to bridge the gap between centralized and decentralized gambling. With blockchain technology, Rollblock secures every transaction in its online casino, providing transparency and convenience to millions of players who are uncomfortable placing bets on other iGaming platforms.

This innovative use of blockchain technology in the industry has grown Rollblock to over 4,000 new users in less than two months. With plans to add sports betting, this number is expected to grow exponentially in Q3.

Rollblock uses a revenue sharing model that splits up to 30% of its casino’s weekly profits with token holders. This happens after Rollblock buys back $RBLK from the open market and uses half of it for rewards. The other half is burned to increase the price of $RBLK.

Rollblock price has seen four increases in the past month with $RBLK tokens now selling for $0.017. Analysts predict that at the current growth rate, Rollblock could increase by over 800% before the presale ends. For investors looking for a long-term token with growth potential, phase four is the best time to buy Rollblock before its price skyrockets!

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Texas Crypto Miners Turn to AI as Crypto Declines

SatoshiTimes Staff

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Texas Crypto Miners Turn to AI as Crypto Declines

As cryptocurrency mining becomes less profitable, Texas cryptocurrency mining companies are switching to supporting artificial intelligence companies.

Bitcoin miners, with their sprawling data centers and access to significant energy resources, are ideally suited for computationally intensive AI operations, and as cryptocurrency mining becomes less profitable, companies see this shift as a logical answer to their problems.

On Thursday, Houston-based Lancium and Denver-based Crusoe Energy Systems announced a multibillion-dollar deal to build a 200-megawatt data center near the West Texas city of Abilene to support advanced artificial intelligence applications such as medical research and aircraft design, CNBC reported. The plant represents the first phase of a larger 1.2 gigawatt project.

Lancium and Crusoe’s move into AI mirrors a broader trend among bitcoin miners. The combined market capitalization of the top U.S.-listed bitcoin miners hit a record $22.8 billion in June. Companies like Bit Digital and Hut 8 are diversifying into AI, with Bit Digital securing a $92 million annual revenue deal to supply Nvidia GPUs and Hut 8 raising $150 million to expand its AI data center.

But the growing popularity of these operations also presents challenges, particularly for the Texas power grid. Last month, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced that the state is expected to nearly double its energy production by 2030 to meet the high energy demands of data centers and cryptocurrency operations.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick expressed concern about the projections.

“Cryptocurrency miners and data centers will account for more than 50% of the additional growth. We need to take a close look at these two sectors,” He wrote on Twitter/X. “They produce very few jobs compared to the incredible demands they place on our network. Cryptocurrency miners could actually make more money selling electricity to the network than they do from their cryptocurrency mining operations.”

Analysts predict significant growth in data center power capacity, which is expected to account for up to 9% of U.S. electricity consumption by 2030.

The operations also pose challenges for nearby cities. Earlier this month, TIME reported that a crypto-mining facility was seriously compromising the health of residents in the city of Granbury. TIME reported more than 40 people with serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and hearing loss. At least 10 of the residents needed to go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility.

The disturbances were caused by the extreme noise generated by the crypto-mining facility’s fans, which are used to keep the machines cool. While the proposed data center in Abilene would use liquid cooling systems, it’s still unclear whether the facility’s operations would pose a health risk to local residents.

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