Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, introduced the arrest in Spain of NESTOR NUÑEZ, a/okay/a “Salvador Molina,” on December 28, 2022, on fraud prices and the give up of RAMON PEREZ on January 6, 2023, on fraud and cash laundering prices. The Government is in search of NUÑEZ’s extradition from Spain. PEREZ was offered earlier at present earlier than United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. On December 14, 2022, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams introduced felony prices in opposition to FRANCISLEY DA SILVA, JUAN TACURI, and ANTONIA PEREZ HERNANDEZ in United States v. Francisley da Silva, et al., 22 Cr. 622 (AT). Along with PEREZ and NUÑEZ, all of those defendants had been promoters of the cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme referred to as Forcount. The Silva matter has been assigned to United States District Judge Analisa Torres.
As alleged within the unsealed S2 Superseding Indictment and the unsealed S3 Superseding Indictment:[1]
PEREZ defrauded Forcount’s victim-investors (“Victims”) after which sought to hide his fraud by laundering Victim funds by shell corporations and by making massive private expenditures, together with on actual property.
In or about 2018, on the route of SILVA, NUÑEZ started presenting himself as Forcount’s CEO below the alias “Salvador Molina.” In actuality, NUÑEZ was an actor paid by SILVA to advertise Forcount.
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PEREZ, 40, of Orlando, Florida, is charged with one depend of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one depend of wire fraud, and one depend of conspiracy to commit cash laundering, every of which carry a most sentence of 20 years in jail.
NUÑEZ, 64, of Madrid, Spain, is charged with one depend of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one depend of wire fraud, every of which carry a most sentence of 20 years in jail.
The statutory most penalties are prescribed by Congress and are offered right here for informational functions solely, as any sentencings of the defendants can be decided by a decide.
Mr. Williams praised the excellent investigative work of HSI New York, HSI Madrid, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Mr. Williams additionally thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Brazilian Federal Police, and the Spanish Guardia Civil for his or her help.
The case is being dealt with by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Gianforti is accountable for this prosecution.
The prices contained within the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is dedicated to defending the rights of crime victims. If you imagine you’re a sufferer of the Forcount scheme, our Victim/Witness Unit can just be sure you are notified of vital phases of those instances that will help you train your rights. In addition, our Victim/Witness Unit is offered to reply questions you may need about these instances and may refer you to out there sources.
Wendy Olsen Clancy
Victim/Witness Coordinator
United States Attorney’s Office
One St. Andrew’s Plaza
New York, New York 10007
(866) 874-8900
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the whole thing of the textual content of the Indictments and the outline of the Indictments set forth herein represent solely allegations, and each truth described ought to be handled as an allegation.