171 years in prison
This week, a federal court in Brazil issued one of the harshest sentences against three participants of the Braiscompany crypto pyramid, sentencing them to 171 years in prison.
Joel Ferreira de Souza, recognized as the main organizer of the financial pyramid, was sentenced to 128 years, 5 months, and 28 days in prison after being found guilty of 11 counts of money laundering.
Authorities established that he was managing illegal financial operations through fictitious companies and conducting unofficial cryptocurrency transactions, promising investors high returns.
The broker from the company Gesana, Rayane Silva, received 27 years in prison for transporting cash and facilitating illegal financial operations. Victor Augusto Verones de Souza, the son of the leader of the crypto pyramid, was sentenced to 15 years for his involvement in companies that helped launder money.
Additionally, the property of all participants in the process and 36 million reais was confiscated.
According to Brazilian media, the three accused participated in a well-organized cryptocurrency scam, in which nearly 20,000 investors lost 1.11 billion reais (approximately $220 billion).
A year ago, the owner of Braiscompany, Antonio Inácio da Silva Neto, and his partner Fabrícia Farias Campos were extradited from Argentina. Subsequently, they were sentenced to 150 years in prison