Juan Tacuri Sentenced to 20 Years for Role in Forcount Crypto Ponzi Scheme

Juan Tacuri, a prominent proponent of the Forcount Ponzi scheme, received a 240-month prison sentence for his role in a large-scale scam that deceived thousands of investors. Judge Analisa Torres of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York imposed the maximum term after the scam mostly deceived Spanish-speaking populations. Tacuri, 46, has been sentenced to prison time as well as almost $3.6 million in reparations and forfeiture of a property in Florida that was bought using illegal proceeds.

Forcount’s Deceptive Operations

Forcount, later rebranded as Weltsys, falsely claimed to engage in cryptocurrency mining and trading. Tacuri and other promoters promised investors guaranteed daily returns and the chance to double their money within six months. However, court documents revealed that the company had no legitimate crypto activities. It operated as a classic Ponzi scheme, using new investors’ money to pay earlier participants, while promoters enriched themselves.

Tacuri played a key role in luring victims, most of whom were working-class individuals from Spanish-speaking communities. He traveled across the U.S., hosting events that varied from small local gatherings to large expos. At these events, Tacuri boasted about his financial success and pushed Forcount’s fraudulent products. Many victims believed they were on the path to financial freedom, only to discover later that their funds were lost.

Mindexcoin’s False Hope

As investor complaints mounted in 2018, when many realized they couldn’t withdraw funds, Forcount introduced its own cryptocurrency, “Mindexcoin.” Promoters claimed this token would help resolve liquidity issues, but it quickly became worthless, adding to investors’ losses. Despite these red flags, Tacuri and others continued to push the scam.

During sentencing, more than 20 victims shared impact statements, highlighting the devastating effects of the scheme. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams commented, “Tacuri’s actions were a clear case of fraud disguised as cutting-edge crypto investing. Fraud does not pay.”