Colombian Prosecutor’s Office presents charges against the main director of the Daily Cop scam

The Prosecutor’s Office Colombian presented charges against Juan José Benavides Velasco, noted to lead a network that would have washed more than COP $ 126,702 million between 2019 and 2022.

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• Juan José Benavides Velasco was accused of concert to commit crimes, illicit enrichment and money laundering.
• The fraudulent investment model Daily Cop promised yields between 0.5 % and 12 %.
• More than 150 victims report losses for at least COP $ 8,000 million.
• Benavides Velasco has a search order to Interpol

The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office He has formally accused Juan José Benavides Velasco, indicated as one of the main brains behind the fraudulent investment scheme known as Daily Cop. According to the authorities, This illegal model operated in Colombia between 2019 and 2022 and served as a facade for a millionaire money laundering operation through the use of cryptocurrencies.

This was announced by the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office in a statement published on its website, where they indicate that the investigation, led by the Address Specialized against money laundering, points out that Benavides Velasco, together with natural and legal persons, organized a criminal structure aimed at capturing money from citizens under false investment promises. In return, they offered supposedly guaranteed monthly yields that ranged between 0.5 % and 12 %, a strategy that attracted many people.

Persuasion and false promises strategies

Investor’s confidence was fed by massive campaigns that promoted the alleged cryptocurrency of Daily Cop. Among the resources used were advertising fences, mass events and digital material that presented the investment as a safe and profitable opportunity.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, these strategies facilitated the money laundering for more than COP $ 126,702 million (almost USD $ 31.6 million at the current exchange rate). Through this scheme, the illicit origin of the funds would have been camouflaged, channeling them towards personal goods and fictional operations.

The financial impact of the scam was also significant on the individual level. So far, at least 150 people have reported to be victims of fraud, with losses that exceed COP $ 8,000 million (USD $ 2,000). The testimonies collected indicate that many trusted Daily Cop After observing your alleged expansion and legitimacy in public events and online platforms.

The authorities identified that, in 2022, Benavides Velasco would have used part of the resources captured to acquire a luxury building and a high -end vehicle. These assets did not correspond to the legitimate income of the accused, which reinforces the thesis that they were obtained through illegal activities.

These findings are part of the file presented by the accusing entity to support concert charges to commit crimes, illicit enrichment and money laundering. The Prosecutor’s Office argues that there are sufficient evidence to link the prosecuted with the criminal framework.

Judicial process underway

The case against Benavides Velasco marks a new episode in the fight against fraud related to cryptocurrency in Colombia. The proliferation of Ponzi schemes and pyramidal models disguised as legitimate investment opportunities has been a growing concern for the authorities.

The Prosecutor’s Office has reiterated its commitment to bring to justice those responsible for these crimes, and calls for citizens to exercise caution against projects that promise disproportionate returns or lack clear regulation.

As for Benavides Velasco, this imposition of charges occurs weeks after the Colombian authorities issued an international capture order through Interpol

Let’s keep in mind that the case of Daily Cop It has generated a certain controversy in Colombia, precisely for the alleged links between said scam and the presidential campaign of Gustavo Petro in 2022. Ómar Hernández Doux-Ruisseau, CEO of Spartan Hill (company linked to the false Crypt company), revealed to the authorities financial relations scheduled with Ricardo Roa, who appears as president of Ecopetrol and at the time he supported the president’s efforts to be elected.

Finally, back with the case against Benavides Velasco, this judicial process also highlights the challenges facing the legal system to adapt to the evolution of financial technologies, particularly in the field of cryptocurrencies, which still operate largely outside the state supervision radar.

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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