$165 Million Crypto Scheme Suspect Deported from Fiji

Fijian authorities deported a 59-year-old American man to the United States to face charges for allegedly operating a $165 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. Edward Zimbardi, from Flowery Branch, Georgia, was sent back to the U.S. on August 14 after being alerted to the charges by Fijian immigration officials.

U.S. authorities claim Zimbardi created and promoted "The Crypto Program" from June 2022 to August 2023. He allegedly promised investors guaranteed monthly returns of 25 percent. Thousands of investors reportedly transferred over $165 million in cryptocurrency to wallets secretly controlled by Zimbardi.

Prosecutors allege Zimbardi misused investor funds, spending more than $34 million on speculative foreign currency trades and at least $10 million on personal expenses, including a house, luxury cars, and alimony. The scheme reportedly collapsed in August 2023.

Authorities state Zimbardi fled to Fiji in July 2025, becoming aware of an FBI investigation, and remained there for over a year. He was indicted on July 8 on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Zimbardi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The case involved cooperation from Fiji's Ministry of Immigration, Police Force, and the U.S. Embassy in Suva.