The U.S citizen, Edward Zimbardi accused of running an alleged Ponzi scheme worth more than US$165 million, who was deported from Fiji to the United States to face federal charges, was living in a luxury island home here, and the question now arises on whether he had established local connections here.
The U.S Embassy in Fiji confirm Zimbardi was deported on Friday following cooperation between Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration, the Fiji Police Force and U.S. authorities.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Sears who had come to Fiji says Zimbardi thought he could run off to a far-off Pacific island to avoid the FBI and live off the money he allegedly stole from his investors.
Sears says Zimbardi's life of luxury has come to an end and he now sits in a jail cell in the United States awaiting his day in court.
He adds what the FBI agents found in Fiji were upset leaders who did not want him in their country after they had found out what he is accused of doing back in the United States.
Several of the victims that the FBI had spoken to in this investigation had told them that Zimbardi told them that he had lost his money in the collapse of the program just like they did.
Special Agent Sears said vinaka to the Fijian Ministry of Immigration for the invaluable help that they provided in this investigation.
It was said that in an effort to avoid the reach of law enforcement, Zimbardi travelled internationally for years.
Last June, before criminal charges had been filed, the FBI encountered Zimbardi at the Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.Â
He told the agents that he had plans to fly to Fiji for a month, and Zimbardi took that trip but almost immediately after he arrived, he cancelled his return ticket to the United States.
U.SÂ Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Theodore S. Hertzberg says the FBI agents travelled to Fiji and in an undercover capacity escorted Zimbardi back to the United States and immediately arrested him upon touching down at LAX in California.
Zimbardi faces federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the alleged scheme, which reportedly victimised thousands of people.
Hertzberg says Zimbardi allegedly tricked thousands of people into investing in his “Crypto Program” by promising huge returns.
He says Zimbardi allegedly used the money for risky currency trades, payments to early investors, a house and expensive vehicles instead.
Zimbardi faces wire fraud and money laundering charges.
fijivillage News has sent further questions to the U.S authorities. We are awaiting their response.
