Russian Interpol authorities have detained
Canadian-Israeli blogger and racing enthusiast Joshua Cartu at St. Petersburg’s
Pulkovo International Airport, kommersant reported. The 45-year-old was apprehended based on an international warrant issued by the United States for allegations of a binary options fraud scheme.
Fraud Allegations
His arrest marks the latest chapter in a global fraud
investigation that has reportedly ensnared his siblings and business associates.
Cartu’s lavish lifestyle, frequently showcased on social media, now stands in
stark contrast to the charges he faces. Cartu, along with his brothers, faces allegations of
defrauding investors out of more than $200 million through illegal binary
options schemes.
Between 2013 and 2018, the Cartu brothers, Joshua,
Jonathan, and David, allegedly operated websites like BeeOptions, Glenridge
Capital, and Rumelia Capital, promising lucrative returns on binary options
trades.
However, according to the US Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC), these promises were false, with most
investors suffering significant losses. The Cartu brothers, alongside their associates Liav
and Nati Peretz, are accused of running call centers in Israel under the guise
of Tracy PAI Ltd., targeting unsuspecting US customers.
U.S. authorities accuse Joshua Cartu, a Ferrari enthusiast who flaunts his lavish lifestyle on social media, of defrauding investors of millions of dollars through an illegal online stock trading scheme. https://t.co/N3hf3pvYSL
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) August 20, 2024
They allegedly misled clients about their expertise,
manipulated trade outcomes, and obscured the flow of illicit funds through
complex financial transactions. The CFTC‘s investigation also uncovered that
companies tied to the Cartu brothers processed over $165 million in credit card
payments related to these fraudulent activities.
Global Investigation and Legal Repercussions
In March 2024, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas found Jonathan Cartu, Liav Peretz, and Nati Peretz guilty of fraud and illegal binary options trading and ordered them to pay over $204 million in penalties and restitution.
Federal Court Orders Binary Options Firm and Owners to Pay Over $204 Million in Monetary Sanctions for Fraudulent Binary Options Scheme: https://t.co/a9e4aQ59sp
— CFTC (@CFTC) March 14, 2024
Cartu’s arrest in Russia is particularly significant,
given the lack of an extradition treaty between Russia and the United States.
Local reports suggest he could be released if US authorities do not confirm the
charges and submit the necessary documents within 48 hours.
However, if the US confirms the investigation, Russian
authorities may seek a court order to formally arrest him. Cartu’s social media
persona, filled with images of him jet-setting around the globe and mingling
with celebrities, has taken a sharp fall.
This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.
Source link
