Alleged Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme Organizers Arrested in Taiwan

Authorities in Taiwan have reportedly arrested two individuals in connection with MyCoin, an alleged Ponzi scheme targeting bitcoin users.

News service China Times reports that Taipei's Criminal Investigation Bureau announced on 20th August that Lu Kuan-wei and Chen Yun-fei were apprehended and charged with their involvement in the scam. Lu and Chen reportedly held a number of MyCoin-related events.

The scam

resulted in millions of dollars in losses in various Asian countries. Victims were duped into investing in the bitcoin investment platform, which promised outsized returns.

The China Times report noted:

"Chen and Lu held several events for investors convincing each one to spend NT$1.62 million (US$49,600) for 90 BTC and an account with MyCoin's parent company, which would distribute 0.63 of a bitcoin every day for a total value of NT$11,000 (US$337). The investors were told that their investment would be returned to them after just four and a half months."

Taiwanese authorities have been conducting a formal investigation into MyCoin since March, according to the report.

Five individuals were arrested in Hong Kong in March, and law enforcement agencies in other nations have since pursued investigations into the matter.

Handcuffs image via Shutterstock

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