John McAfee accused of cryptocurrency securities fraud
McAfee, founder of the eponymous antivirus company, apparently needed money and is now being taken to court for false and misleading statements.
Federal prosecutors are targeting McAfee and his executive adviser and bodyguard Watson. The gentlemen are suspected of ‘pump and dump’. This is the promotion of a coin. Of course with the knowledge that the currency will rise as a result. After this, the coins are sold quickly. So manipulation, and that is not allowed. Prosecutors allege she made nearly $ 2 million. They did this by motivating Twitter followers to buy cryptocoins. Think of Redcoin and Dogecoin.
“McAfee and Watson leveraged a widely used social media platform and enthusiasm among investors in the emerging cryptocurrency market. This to make millions through lies and deception
American attorney Audrey Strauss
The two men reportedly used McAfee’s Twitter account. With this they reached hundreds of thousands of followers. The plan has been implemented a while ago. Sometime between December 2017 and October 2018 they did this. At the time, McAfee used this to recommend a “Mint of the Day” or “Mint of the Week”.
Seven charges
In America they have serious penalties. McAfee and Watson are facing seven charges. Each with between five and 20 years in prison. That is not nothing. The charges against the two include wire fraud and conspiracy to commit commodity and securities fraud.
McAfee – who is or was a successful businessman after all – has been arrested before. He was already arrested last year for tax evasion. And it can be even crazier. In 2019, a court ordered him to pay $ 25 million. This is because he allegedly ordered the murder of his neighbor in Belize in 2012. McAfee, of course, denies any involvement.
