Crypto scammers are increasingly inventive in their schemes to deceive unwary investors. Shockingly, these scammers come from various backgrounds. A prime example is the case involving the congregation of Ministerio Apost\u00f3lico Prof\u00e9tico Tiempos de Poder in Pasco, Washington, who were victims of a cryptocurrency scam orchestrated by their own pastor.<\/p>\n
The US Department of Justice reports that Francier Obando Pinillo, a 51-year-old pastor residing in Miami, has been formally charged with 26 counts of fraud in the Eastern District of Washington.<\/p>\n
According to a document released by the DOJ, Pinillo allegedly orchestrated a cryptocurrency scam from November 2021 through October 2023, resulting in millions of dollars lost by unsuspecting investors.<\/p>\n
As the leader of the Spanish-speaking Ministerial congregation, Pinillo introduced an investment scheme named \u201cSolano Fi.\u201d Uniquely, the concept for this investment vehicle supposedly came to him in a dream.<\/p>\n
Utilizing his position, Pinillo promoted this cryptocurrency investment, claiming that Solano Fi was secure and promising guaranteed returns. He offered a substantial monthly return of 34.9% and engaged in extensive marketing on social media to draw in more participants.<\/p>\n
To further entice potential investors, he established a Telegram group named \u201cMultimillionarios SolanaFi,\u201d which attracted over 1,500 members, along with a dedicated Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Investigators uncovered that while investors lost their capital, Pinillo\u2019s personal wealth grew significantly. Rather than investing the funds, they were allegedly diverted into the personal accounts of Pinillo and his accomplices.<\/p>\n
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