Argentina’s authorities stop the main director of the Daily Cop scam

Juan José Benavides Velasco, a 30 -year -old Colombian, was arrested in Mendoza after being indicated as the main director of Daily Copa Ponzi scheme linked to cryptocurrencies that captured more than 200,000 victims.

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• The Argentine Federal Police He stopped Juan José Benavides Velasco, accused of leading Daily Cop.
  
• The Colombia Prosecutor’s Office He estimates that the scheme moved more than COP $ 126,000 million between 2019 and 2022.
• The case involves public figures, political repercussions and international links in the United Kingdom and Estonia.

On August 26, the Argentine Federal Police He stopped at a home in Coria, Mendoza, Juan José Benavides Velasco, a 30 -year -old Colombian citizen, indicated as the alleged creator and main director of the fraudulent scheme of cryptocurrencies known as Daily Cop.

The capture responded to an international order issued by the Municipal Criminal Court No. 2 of Cali and managed before the Interpol After his arrest, he was under the jurisdiction of Federal Court of Mendozawhich must define its judicial and immigration situation while its extradition to Colombia is processed.

The operation was confirmed by Argentine media, which detailed that Benavides could be transferred in the next few days to his country of origin to face charges.

The origin and operation of Daily Cop

As we have indicated in previous reports, Daily Cop It emerged in 2019 under the promise of being “The first Colombian cryptocurrency.” It offered monthly returns between 0.5% and 12%, supported by an intense advertising campaign with presence in public spaces and ostentatious events.

The platform attracted about 200,000 investors, mostly Colombians, although there were also victims in other Latin American countries. Influencers such as Elizabeth Loaiza and Yeferson Cossio participated in their promotion, which increased their scope and led them to render statements to justice.

The scheme, however, worked under the logic of a Ponzi: The resources of new participants were used to pay those who were already inside. When the capital flow became unsustainable, the structure collapsed.

Frankon figures and judicial accusations

The Attorney General’s Office in Colombia calculated that between 2019 and 2022 Daily Cop illegally mobilized about COP $ 126,702 million, equivalent to USD $ 31.7 million.

Benavides Velasco faces concert charges to commit crimes, illicit enrichment and money laundering. According to the research entity, The funds moved through a network of societies in Colombia, the United Kingdom and Estonia to give the appearance of legality and facilitate the money laundering of capital linked to drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

A statement from the Cali prosecution indicated that “Daily Cop served to cover up money laundering operations related to serious crimes and the diversion of resources through international companies.”

Acquired goods and others involved

Part of the resources captured ended in the purchase of luxury properties, high -end vehicles and other assets that did not correspond to the declared lawful income.

In the investigation, others involved are also: Sebastián Betancourt, indicated as co -founder; Carolina Granada Hernández, legal representative of one of the companies used; and Luis Fernando Adams Suárez with Gloria Izquierdo López, linked to the economic holding that endured the operation.

International political repercussions and links

The case acquired political relevance after the statements of Ómar Hernández Doux-Ruisseau, CEO of Spartan Hill. In September 2024, he affirmed that resources of Daily Cop They would have financed private flights during Gustavo Petro’s presidential campaign in 2022.

Although both Petro and his campaign chief, Ricardo Roa, denied any link, the version gave rise to preliminary investigations in the Accusation Commission of the House of Representatives In November of that same year.

So far a direct financial connection between Daily Cop and the political campaign has not been demonstrated, but the process is still open.

The episode of the alleged kidnapping in Argentina

In 2022, Benavides denounced his kidnapping in Buenos Aires with his family. The captors demanded USD $ 10 million, sum that coincided with losses of Daily Cop in liquidity reserves that same year.

Although the hypothesis of a self-site was not proven, the episode left doubts about the fate of the funds. After that, Benavides entered the Witness and victims protection program.

In statements a Clarion, He refused to have links with the Úsuga Clan or the Los Urabeños poster, structures indicated in the file.

For now, the judicial process in Argentina will continue to determine the viability of extradition, while in Colombia the authorities investigate the total magnitude of fraud, the whereabouts of the funds and the responsibility of others involved.

Written article with the help of an AI content editor, edited by Angel Di Matteo / Diariobitcoin

Original image of Diariobitcoin, created with artificial intelligence, for free use, licensed under public domain.

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