A UK court has held two individuals accountable for a cryptocurrency scam, causing losses exceeding $2 million. Raymondip Bedi (35) and Patrick Mavanga (40) have been sentenced to prison for a cumulative period of 12 years for their fraudulent activities. Posing as financial advisors, they lured unsuspecting individuals to their fraudulent websites through cold calling.
This fraudulent operation spanned from 2017 to 2019, during which the pair reportedly swindled around $2 million from 65 victims. UK judicial authorities have identified Bedi and Mavanga as the culprits who defrauded investors of £1.5 million, roughly equivalent to $2 million. The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) prosecuted them, and they were found guilty of fraud. Bedi received a sentence of 5 years and 4 months, while Mavanga was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months.
They were operating under the names of CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP. The court exposed their intentions to exploit the financial regulatory system and continue reaping their unlawful gains even after their scam had been exposed. The court has urged victims of this fraud to seek support and learn ways to identify such scams in the future.
The scam targeted inexperienced retail investors in the cryptocurrency market. The fraudsters sold counterfeit assets, posing as a legitimate investment opportunity. Using attractive promotional materials and exaggerated promises of future gains, they managed to convince investors to part with thousands of pounds in hopes of making a profit. The aftermath of the scam had severe implications for the victims, some suffered mental health issues while others fell into debt. Some had invested their life savings and lost everything.
Judge Griffiths, presiding over the case, stated that both men were equally complicit and intentionally flouted financial regulation laws. The duo admitted their guilt in 2023. However, Mavanga was found guilty of additional offences, including the concealment of phone recordings discussing the scam with Bedi. The court condemned their actions and recognized the many people who were seeking investment opportunities to earn a return on their money.
The guilty plea in 2023 came after defrauding 65 investors of about $2 million. The resolution took a considerable amount of time due to a backlog of cases at the FCA, some dating back to 2016. The FCA has been focusing on crypto-related cases and has an extensive list of cases involving deceptive advertising of cryptocurrency investments. The protracted legal process has highlighted the need for resources to enforce regulations effectively.
