A U.S. judge has sentenced Erick “Anthony” Marques Gonzalez, a promoter of the fraudulent Forcount cryptocurrency scheme, to 54 months in federal prison. Gonzalez was found guilty of orchestrating an international Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of victims out of millions of dollars. The scheme, which promised substantial returns through cryptocurrency mining and trading, was exposed as a sham that relied on new investments to pay earlier participants.
According to court documents, Forcount operated between 2017 and 2021, attracting investors primarily from Spanish-speaking communities in the United States and Latin America. Gonzalez played a key role in promoting the scheme by hosting events and producing social media content to lure unsuspecting victims. Authorities revealed that Gonzalez personally profited from the scam, using investor funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars and expensive travel.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) emphasized the severity of the crime, highlighting how Forcount preyed on vulnerable individuals hoping to achieve financial security. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that the sentence serves as a warning to those who exploit the growing interest in cryptocurrencies for fraudulent purposes. The DOJ remains committed to holding crypto scammers accountable and protecting investors from similar schemes in the future.
This case underscores the rising need for vigilance and regulatory oversight in the cryptocurrency sector, where scams continue to proliferate alongside legitimate innovations. As authorities ramp up efforts to crack down on fraud, the sentencing of Gonzalez sends a clear message that exploiting investors through deceptive practices will not go unpunished. The case also highlights the importance of investor education to identify and avoid such schemes.
