A massive cryptocurrency scam in Colombia has left over 150 people without their savings. The mastermind behind the scheme, Juan José Benavides, is now the subject of an Interpol red notice. His company, Daily Cop, promised investors monthly returns of 12%, but it was all a ruse.
The Colombian prosecution says Benavides and his accomplices made off with over COP $126,702 million. They used the money to buy luxury goods and hide the origin of the funds. Now, the authorities are on the hunt for Benavides, and they’re getting help from Interpol.
How it worked
Benavides and his team set up a network to get money from investors, promising to put it into cryptocurrency. But instead of investing, they just took the money and ran. The victims were left with nothing, and the perpetrators are now facing charges of money laundering, illicit enrichment, and more.
Ties to the president
One of the most shocking aspects of the case is the possible link between Daily Cop and the presidential campaign of Gustavo Petro in 2022. It’s alleged that Daily Cop helped fund Petro’s campaign, and some of the money may have been used for things like flights for the candidate. Petro and his team have denied any involvement, but the investigation is ongoing.
Other business leaders are also under scrutiny, including Ómar Hernández, the CEO of Spartan Hill, and Sebastián Betancourt. They’re all suspected of being involved in the scam and are facing charges.
What’s happening now
So far, 11 people have been charged in connection with the case, and the prosecution is still looking into the money trail and possible political connections. Hernández has expressed fears for his safety and is asking for protection in exchange for his cooperation.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Colombian families are still waiting for answers and some kind of compensation after losing their savings to the scam. The case is a stark reminder of the risks of investing in cryptocurrency and the importance of doing your research before handing over your money.
According to a report by Infobae, the investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to come to light in the coming weeks.