SEC fines PGI Global Over $200 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme

 

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PGI Global, Ramil Palafox Face SEC

According to an April 22 press releaspe from the federal regulator, PGI Global sold “membership” packages that promised “guaranteed high returns” from crypto and foreign exchange trading.


The company even offered “multi-level-marketing-like referral incentives” to customers in a bid to “encourage them to recruit new investors.”


In reality, Palafox allegedly misappropriated $57 million worth of investor funds to make high-end personal purchases, including a Lamborghini and other luxury goods.

Palafox then used the remaining investor funds to “pay other investors on their purported returns and referral rewards in a Ponzi-like scheme” until PGI Global ultimately collapsed in late 2021


Palafox used the guise of innovation to lure investors into lining his pockets with millions of dollars while leaving many victims empty-handed,” said Laura D’Allaird, Chief of the Commission’s new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit.


“In reality, his false claims of crypto industry expertise and a supposed AI-powered auto-trading platform were just masking an international securities fraud,” she added.


The SEC’s Investigation Continues

The SEC filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, accusing Palafox for allegedly violating anti-fraud and registration provisions of federal securities laws.


The SEC’s complaint, which lists BMR Threshold LLC, Darvie Mendoza, Marissa Mendoza Palafox, and Linda Ventura as relief defendants, is seeking injunctions against Palafox which would prevent him from participating in multi-level marketing operations with regard to cryptocurrencies sold as securities.


The SEC is continuing its investigation into the crypto scheme and is receiving support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the IRS.


“Palafox bought himself and his family cars, watches, and homes using millions of dollars of investor funds,” said Scott Thompson, Associate Director of the SEC’s Philadelphia Regional Office.


“We will continue to investigate and take action against bad actors who take advantage of investors with promises of guaranteed passive income and other lies and deceit,” he continued. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday charged Ramil Palafox and his company PGI Global for allegedly running a massive fraudulent scheme that defrauded investors out of $198 million.


PGI Global, Ramil Palafox before the SEC


According to the federal regulator’s April 22 press release, PGI Global sold “membership” packages that promised “guaranteed high returns” from crypto and forex trading.


The company also offered “multi-level-marketing-like referral incentives” to customers to “encourage them to recruit new investors.”


In fact, Palafox allegedly misused $57 million worth of investor funds to make high-end personal purchases, including Lamborghinis and other luxury goods.


 Palafox then used the remaining investors’ funds to “make payments to other investors on their purported returns and referral rewards in a Ponzi-like scheme” until PGI Global collapsed in late 2021. “Palafox pocketed millions of dollars under the guise of innovation to lure investors, while leaving many victims empty-handed,” said Laura D’Allard, head of the commission’s new cyber and emerging technology unit. “In reality, their false claims of crypto industry expertise and purported AI-powered auto-trading platform were simply concealing an international securities fraud,” she added. SEC investigation continues The SEC filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, accusing Palafox of allegedly violating the anti-fraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC's complaint, which lists BMR Threshold LLC, Darvy Mendoza, Marisa Mendoza Palafox and Linda Ventura as relief defendants, is seeking an injunction against them. The suit has been filed against Palafox, which would prevent him from participating in multi-level marketing operations in connection with cryptocurrencies sold as securities.


The SEC continues to investigate the crypto scheme and is receiving support from the US Attorney's Office, the FBI and the IRS.


"Palafox purchased cars, watches and homes for himself and his family using millions of dollars of investors' funds," said Scott Thompson, associate director of the SEC's Philadelphia regional office.


He further added, "We will continue to investigate and take action against bad people who take advantage of investors with promises of guaranteed passive income and other lies and deceptions."




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