By Mark Hunter
18 hours agoMon Sep 09 2024 08:45:10
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- Authorities have arrested Omegapro co-founder Robert Velghe as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged $4 billion fraudulent crypto platform
- Omegapro has attracted thousands of investors worldwide with promises of high returns through forex and cryptocurrency trading
- Investigators have uncovered that Omegapro was a Ponzi scheme, using new investors’ money to pay earlier participants, resulting in recent arrests
The investigation into the Omegapro scandal continued last week with the arrest of co-founder Robert Velghe, as the truth over the $4 billion crypto Ponzi scheme emerges. Omegapro, which promised lucrative returns through forex and cryptocurrency trading, attracted thousands of investors worldwide. However, investigations have revealed that the platform was a fraudulent operation, using new investors’ money to pay earlier participants, leading to the arrest in recent weeks of those in charge.
Thousands of Investors Defrauded
Omegapro launched in 2019, promoting itself as a financial platform specializing in forex and crypto trading, attracting thousands of investors. However, by 2022, investigations began to reveal that it was operating as a Ponzi scheme, leading to a wave of arrests and legal actions. The company reportedly began shutting down user accounts on November 7 2022, and halted withdrawals two weeks later, around the same time the crypto exchange FTX imploded.
The first major arrest linked to Omegapro occurred in late 2022 when Colombian authorities apprehended top promoter Juan Carlos Reynoso. Reynoso, a well-known figure in Latin America, had enticed many with the promise of significant returns from the platform’s supposed trading strategies.
As complaints mounted from investors who stopped receiving payouts, Colombian regulators launched an investigation, leading to Reynoso’s arrest. He was charged with financial fraud and operating a Ponzi scheme.
Following Reynoso’s capture, the case gained momentum, and international authorities intensified their crackdown on Omegapro. In early 2023, Spanish authorities arrested another prominent promoter, Pablo Mena, who had organized lavish events in Europe to attract more investors.
Mena, accused of being a key figure in expanding Omegapro’s presence in Spain and other parts of Europe, was charged with fraud and money laundering. His arrest marked the beginning of a coordinated effort by European authorities to dismantle the network.
Arrests Ramp Up
In April 2023, Brazilian authorities arrested the country’s top Omegapro leader, Leonardo Cositorto. Cositorto had been under investigation for months, and his arrest was part of a larger operation involving law enforcement across Latin America. Accused of defrauding thousands of investors, Cositorto’s apprehension was seen as a significant victory for victims seeking justice.
The most recent development came just last week when Dubai authorities arrested Omegapro co-founder Andreas Szakacs. Szakacs, who had been under surveillance for months, was detained on charges of orchestrating the Ponzi scheme and defrauding investors on a global scale.
His arrest is viewed as a critical turning point, as he is believed to have played a central role in managing the platform and misleading investors with false promises of high returns.
As the investigation continues, more arrests are expected. Authorities across Europe, Latin America, and Asia are working together to ensure that all individuals responsible for the scheme are brought to justice, as victims of Omegapro await restitution and accountability.
