SEC Alleges $650 Million Crypto Pyramid Scheme By NovaTech Founders

As a seasoned analyst with years of experience observing and dissecting the intricacies of financial markets, I find myself appalled yet unsurprised by the latest revelations surrounding NovaTech and its alleged crypto pyramid scheme. The sheer scale of this operation, which managed to dupe over 200,000 investors worldwide, is a stark reminder of the allure and danger that lies within the rapidly evolving digital asset space.


On Monday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought legal action against NovaTech, a company suspected of running a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, as well as eight of its key promoters.

In this court case, authorities claim they have committed fraud and broken federal securities regulations through a crypto investment scheme that amassed over $650 million from approximately 200,000 global investors, with a substantial portion being Haitian-Americans.

NovaTech Scandal Exposed

According to the SEC’s accusations, Cynthia and Eddy Petion, along with their business, NovaTech, are the main subjects of the charges. The SEC claims that the Petions ran a “fraudulent scheme” disguised as a multi-level marketing (MLM) and cryptocurrency investment program from 2019 to 2023.

As a researcher, I’ve uncovered claims suggesting that the company’s inception was tainted with deception. It seems that potential investors were enticed by promises of crypto asset and foreign exchange market investments, allegedly guaranteed for their safety and swift profitability.

In reality, the SEC found that NovaTech predominantly used investor funds to pay existing investors and promoters, allocating only a fraction of the funds towards actual trading activities. 

The accusation also includes the allegation that Petions diverted millions of dollars for their own benefit. Unfortunately, when NovaTech eventually failed, many investors were left unable to recover their investments, leading to significant financial setbacks.

Founders Charged For Fraudulent Crypto Scheme

Eric Werner, Head of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Fort Worth Regional Office, strongly criticized NovaTech’s actions, claiming that the plan caused substantial financial damage to numerous individuals across the globe. In his words, “the scheme led to immense losses for countless victims worldwide.”

In our view, large-scale Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) ventures rely on influencers to drive them forward. Today’s actions show that we won’t shy away from prosecuting not only the masterminds behind these colossal schemes, but also those who contribute to their deception by illegally recruiting victims as part of the fraudulent activity.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s accusation additionally involves NovaTech’s leading advocates – Zizi, Dunbar, Corbett, Sampson, Garofano, and Hadley – for actively attracting investors and fellow promoters, pocketing significant fees as a result of their efforts.

As a crypto investor, I was cautious about my investment in NovaTech, given the regulatory actions taken against them by both U.S. and Canadian authorities. However, I couldn’t help but notice that the promoters seemed to persistently recruit new investors while minimizing the potential risks associated with their platform. This raised some red flags for me, and I found myself questioning the transparency of their operations.

In a court case brought before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, NovaTech, the defendants (the Petions), and promoters are accused of breaking antifraud regulations in federal securities laws and failing to register as required. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aims to halt this illegal activity permanently, retrieve any ill-gotten profits, and impose penalties to compensate for the harm caused by the scheme.

SEC Alleges $650 Million Crypto Pyramid Scheme By NovaTech Founders

Currently, the combined value of all cryptocurrencies is approximately $2 trillion, having bounced back from a monthly low of $1.69 trillion reached just last week. Notably, Bitcoin, the dominant crypto on the market, has stabilized above $59,000 following a 1% decline from the $60,000 mark over the same period.

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2024-08-13 16:12