The suspect is alleged to have collaborated with others to steal from unsuspecting victims by way of a bogus cryptocurrency scheme
This weekend, Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division apprehended Mana Jumuang for working a cryptocurrency scheme that noticed victims lose their funds between 2018 and 2019. The 50-year outdated is alleged to have been the mastermind behind the rip-off operation. He illegally obtained greater than 500 million Baht (the equal of virtually $15 million) earlier than deserting buyers.
In accordance with a narrative within the Bangkok Publish, Jumuang had co-conspirators with whom he ran the scheme. He’s mentioned to have lured each native and international victims by promising them that they’d acquire enormous income within the vary of 400% after an funding interval of 200 days.
Jumuang introduced himself as a crypto guru to buyers to earn their belief promising good returns from the cryptocurrency Onecoin. Unaware that it’s however a rip-off to steal from them, the unsuspecting buyers would plough in enormous sums of cash into the fraudulent scheme.
Traditional Ponzi scheme
Talking in regards to the case, Police Main Basic Montri Thetkhan, who instructions the Crime Suppression Division, mentioned that Jumuang and his confederate posed as businessmen along with claiming they had been digital belongings buying and selling specialists. They deceived buyers into considering they operated shops coping with meals, cosmetics, autos, and attire.
To promote the scheme and draw in additional buyers, Jumuang paid dividends to the sooner members. He turned unreachable when the quantity channelled into the scheme hit 500 million Baht. The buyers began submitting experiences after Jumuang and his ‘companions’ went off the grid, which noticed Thailand authorities put out an arrest warrant. He was busted in Might 2019, however he fled after being launched on bail. It’s reported {that a} complete of 14 arrest warrants had been issued for Jumuang earlier than his Saturday apprehension.
The scheme is just like that involving the ‘Cryptoqueen’
Authorities are investigating the matter to seek out out if Jumuang’s fraudulent scheme has any connection to an earlier Ponzi scheme round Onecoin. The latter was managed by Bulgarian convicted fraudster Ruja Ignatova who was referred to by the media as ‘Cryptoqueen.’
Ignatova’s scheme defrauded victims from all around the globe about $4 billion between 2014 and 2016 earlier than going lacking in 2017. Previous to founding the Ponzi scheme that ran below the crypto coin OneCoin, Ignatova swindled funds in one other scheme dubbed BigCoin. OneCoin has been described as a faux cryptocurrency because it isn’t traded and can’t be used to settle funds for purchases. It was launched in September 2014 by Ignatova and her brother with assist from Sebastian Greenwood.
