Audit log

Every state-changing event for Edward Zimbardi / The Crypto Program: moderation decisions on community submissions, plus corrections and updates from the news pipeline. URL-based decisions are designed to carry three independent witnesses — the original source, an Internet Archive snapshot, and a Solana memo signed by our publicly-disclosed publisher key. Archive coverage is still being backfilled, so each decision below reports its own snapshot status rather than assuming one exists.

1. #1publishby system:backfill

   2026-08-18 12:04:56Z
   Score: ? → ? (no score change)
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   {"actor":"system:backfill","investigation_id":"d43a468f-3327-4f75-9389-e6dbd0957cf6","kind":"publish","page_slug":"edward-zimbardi-the-crypto-program","published_at":"2026-08-18T12:04:56.743Z","sequence_num":1,"snapshot":{"content_type":"investigation","entity_name":"Edward Zimbardi / The Crypto Program","sections":[{"content":"A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia returned a 25-count indictment against Edward Anthony Zimbardi on July 8, 2026. The indictment charges 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Zimbardi was deported from Fiji on August 14, 2026 and appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles on August 17, 2026. Prosecutors sought pretrial detention pending transfer to Georgia proceedings. All counts are accusations; Zimbardi has not been convicted of any charge in this case as of the date of this report. The case is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.","heading":"Federal Criminal Charges","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ USAO-NDGA: Alleged Mastermind of $165 Million Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme Facing Federal Charges after Deportation from Fiji","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"credibility":2,"name":"crypto.news: Crypto Ponzi suspect faces 25 charges after deportation","type":"news_article","url":"https://crypto.news/crypto-ponzi-suspect-faces-25-charges/"}]},{"content":"Prosecutors allege that between June 2022 and August 2023, Zimbardi created and promoted 'The Crypto Program' (operating at cryptoprogram.me) through websites and promotional videos, advertising investment 'advertising packages' that purportedly generated revenue through online affiliate marketing. Investors were allegedly promised guaranteed monthly returns of 25% and instructed to transfer cryptocurrency — primarily USDT and USDC — into digital wallets secretly controlled by Zimbardi. According to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's June 2023 desist and refrain order, Zimbardi told investors their funds would go solely toward online advertising, while most were actually used to pay other investors in the manner of a Ponzi scheme, with additional funds transferred to a forex broker in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The scheme incorporated a multi-level marketing (MLM) compensation structure, offering recruiting commissions of $25 per first-level recruit and $15 per second-level recruit, according to reporting by BehindMLM published January 22, 2023. Prosecutors allege that over $165 million was collected from more than 6,000 investors across the United States and internationally, with the scheme collapsing in August 2023.","heading":"Alleged Scheme Operation","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ USAO-NDGA Press Release","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"credibility":1,"name":"California DFPI Desist and Refrain Order — CryptoProgram","type":"regulatory","url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2023/06/D-R-CryptoProgram.pdf"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram Review — Crypto trading Ponzi scheme","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/mlm-reviews/cryptoprogram-review-crypto-trading-ponzi-scheme/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"CBS News Atlanta: Flowery Branch man accused of running $165 million crypto Ponzi scheme deported from Fiji","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/flowery-branch-man-accused-of-running-165-million-crypto-ponzi-scheme-deported-from-fiji/"}]},{"content":"According to the federal indictment as described in the DOJ press release, Zimbardi allegedly diverted investor funds in three primary ways: more than $34 million was placed into risky foreign currency trades, resulting in substantial losses; at least $10 million was spent on personal expenses, including a home purchased for his son, luxury vehicles, and alimony payments to an ex-wife; and funds from newer investors were used to pay purported returns to earlier investors, the defining characteristic of a Ponzi scheme. Prosecutors allege that rather than purchasing advertising packages as represented to investors, Zimbardi used the money to speculate on currency markets and fund personal expenditures. These are allegations contained in an indictment; they have not been adjudicated by a court.","heading":"Alleged Misuse of Investor Funds","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ USAO-NDGA Press Release","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"credibility":2,"name":"CoinTelegraph: Edward Zimbardi 165M crypto Ponzi Fiji deportation","type":"news_article","url":"https://cointelegraph.com/news/edward-zimbardi-165m-crypto-ponzi-fiji-deportation"},{"credibility":2,"name":"WSB-TV Atlanta: Edward Zimbardi arrested and extradited for Ponzi scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/alleged-ponzi-scheme-mastermind-stole-more-than-100-million-victims-feds-say/MQY6LKQNVBDZXKNSLUQYYEPIXA/"}]},{"content":"Multiple regulatory bodies issued orders against CryptoProgram and Zimbardi before the federal indictment. In March 2023, the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) issued a fraud warning about CryptoProgram. In May 2023, the BCSC ordered CryptoProgram and Zimbardi to cease trading securities in British Columbia. In June 2023, California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) issued a formal Desist and Refrain Order against CryptoProgram and Zimbardi, alleging the operation constituted an unregistered securities offering and a Ponzi scheme. The DFPI order specifically named Zimbardi as 'Master Affiliate.' The Georgia Secretary of State's office also investigated and characterized the schemes as 'illegal investment schemes' operating 'in the manner of a Ponzi scheme,' with civil penalties of up to $500,000 imposed. These are civil regulatory findings; criminal adjudication is pending.","heading":"Regulatory Actions (Pre-Indictment)","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"California DFPI Desist and Refrain Order — CryptoProgram","type":"regulatory","url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2023/06/D-R-CryptoProgram.pdf"},{"credibility":1,"name":"California DFPI enforcement page — CryptoProgram","type":"regulatory","url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/enf-c/cryptoprogram/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram ordered to cease trading in BC, Canada","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ordered-to-cease-trading-in-bc-canada/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"OCCRP: Fiji Hands Over a Man Suspected of Ponzi-style Crypto Investment Schemes to US","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.occrp.org/en/news/fiji-hands-over-a-man-suspected-of-ponzi-style-crypto-investment-schemes-to-us"}]},{"content":"Following the British Columbia and California regulatory orders in mid-2023, CryptoProgram rebranded as 'Amsys' in July 2023. Amsys operated briefly before collapsing in August 2023, the same month the DOJ indictment alleges the scheme concluded. Investors in Amsys reported withdrawal delays and unresolved complaints. The rebrand is consistent with a pattern of using a new name to extend a scheme's operational life following regulatory scrutiny, though no separate criminal charges specific to Amsys have been publicly filed as of the date of this report.","heading":"Rebrand to Amsys and Collapse","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram rebrands as Amsys after fraud warnings","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-rebrands-as-amsys-after-fraud-warnings/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: Amsys withdrawal delays, excuses and regulatory lies","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/amsys-withdrawal-delays-excuses-regulatory-lies/"}]},{"content":"After CryptoProgram and Amsys collapsed in August 2023, Zimbardi traveled internationally, including through Hawaii and the Netherlands. In March 2024, Dutch authorities arrested Zimbardi on suspicion of money laundering, reportedly in connection with a separate alleged scheme involving a Dutch suspect named Corina de Jong and an entity called Mugan Markets. Dutch media reported Zimbardi was released within days of his March 5, 2024 arrest, and no Dutch charges are known to have been sustained. In July 2025, after allegedly becoming aware of an active FBI investigation, Zimbardi fled to Fiji, where he remained for over a year. He allegedly canceled attendance at his son's Virginia wedding in May 2026, suspecting FBI surveillance. Fijian immigration authorities, coordinating with the FBI and U.S. Department of State, deported Zimbardi on August 14, 2026. WSB-TV Atlanta reported it tracked Zimbardi's movements across multiple countries, including the Netherlands and Fiji, prior to his return to the U.S.","heading":"International Flight and Deportation","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"CBS News Atlanta: Flowery Branch man accused of running $165 million crypto Ponzi scheme deported from Fiji","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/flowery-branch-man-accused-of-running-165-million-crypto-ponzi-scheme-deported-from-fiji/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"OCCRP: Fiji Hands Over a Man Suspected of Ponzi-style Crypto Investment Schemes to US","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.occrp.org/en/news/fiji-hands-over-a-man-suspected-of-ponzi-style-crypto-investment-schemes-to-us"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram's Ed Zimbardi arrested in the Netherlands","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprograms-ed-zimbardi-arrested-in-the-netherlands/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"WSB-TV Atlanta: Edward Zimbardi arrested and extradited for Ponzi scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/alleged-ponzi-scheme-mastermind-stole-more-than-100-million-victims-feds-say/MQY6LKQNVBDZXKNSLUQYYEPIXA/"}]},{"content":"On July 25, 2025, investor LeeAnn Harper filed a civil lawsuit in Georgia against Zimbardi and two co-defendants — Ramon Gemperle and Christopher Livingston — alleging losses exceeding $366,000. The seven-count complaint alleges violations of the federal RICO Act, common law fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, securities fraud, violations of the Georgia Uniform Securities Act, conversion, and unjust enrichment. As of March 2026, the court clerk had entered defaults against Zimbardi (February 6, 2026) and Livingston (March 4, 2026), which may allow Harper to pursue a default judgment. No court ruling on the merits has been entered. This civil action is separate from the federal criminal indictment.","heading":"Civil Lawsuit","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram Ponzi investor sues Ed Zimbardi","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ponzi-investor-sues-ed-zimbardi/"}]},{"content":"According to reporting by the OCCRP and BehindMLM, Zimbardi has a prior criminal history in Georgia predating The Crypto Program. He was convicted of felony theft by taking in 1997, pleading guilty to eight counts, and served approximately 17 months in prison. This prior conviction is a matter of public record. The prior conviction is not a charge in the current indictment but is part of his publicly documented background.","heading":"Prior Criminal History","severity":"medium","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"OCCRP: Fiji Hands Over a Man Suspected of Ponzi-style Crypto Investment Schemes to US","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.occrp.org/en/news/fiji-hands-over-a-man-suspected-of-ponzi-style-crypto-investment-schemes-to-us"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram Review — Crypto trading Ponzi scheme","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/mlm-reviews/cryptoprogram-review-crypto-trading-ponzi-scheme/"}]},{"content":"The FBI has established a dedicated website for investors to report losses related to The Crypto Program and document claims for potential restitution purposes. The investigation involved cooperation from multiple agencies, including the SEC, CFTC, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the Georgia Secretary of State's office, as well as Fijian immigration authorities. No separate civil SEC or CFTC enforcement actions against Zimbardi had been publicly filed as of August 18, 2026. Investors who participated in The Crypto Program or Amsys between June 2022 and August 2023 may be eligible to provide victim impact statements or documentation to the FBI.","heading":"Victim Resources and Investigation Status","severity":"medium","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ USAO-NDGA Press Release","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"credibility":2,"name":"CryptoTimes: Georgia Man Faces Charges in $165M Crypto Ponzi Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/08/18/georgia-man-faces-charges-in-165m-crypto-ponzi-scheme/"}]}],"sources_used":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ USAO-NDGA: Alleged Mastermind of $165 Million Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme Facing Federal Charges after Deportation from Fiji","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"credibility":1,"name":"California DFPI Desist and Refrain Order — CryptoProgram (PDF)","type":"regulatory","url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2023/06/D-R-CryptoProgram.pdf"},{"credibility":1,"name":"California DFPI enforcement page — CryptoProgram","type":"regulatory","url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/enf-c/cryptoprogram/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"OCCRP: Fiji Hands Over a Man Suspected of Ponzi-style Crypto Investment Schemes to US","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.occrp.org/en/news/fiji-hands-over-a-man-suspected-of-ponzi-style-crypto-investment-schemes-to-us"},{"credibility":1,"name":"CBS News Atlanta: Flowery Branch man accused of running $165 million crypto Ponzi scheme deported from Fiji","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/flowery-branch-man-accused-of-running-165-million-crypto-ponzi-scheme-deported-from-fiji/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"CoinTelegraph: Edward Zimbardi 165M crypto Ponzi Fiji deportation","type":"news_article","url":"https://cointelegraph.com/news/edward-zimbardi-165m-crypto-ponzi-fiji-deportation"},{"credibility":2,"name":"WSB-TV Atlanta: Edward Zimbardi arrested and extradited for Ponzi scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/alleged-ponzi-scheme-mastermind-stole-more-than-100-million-victims-feds-say/MQY6LKQNVBDZXKNSLUQYYEPIXA/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"CryptoTimes: Georgia Man Faces Charges in $165M Crypto Ponzi Scheme","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/08/18/georgia-man-faces-charges-in-165m-crypto-ponzi-scheme/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"crypto.news: Crypto Ponzi suspect faces 25 charges after deportation","type":"news_article","url":"https://crypto.news/crypto-ponzi-suspect-faces-25-charges/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram Review — Crypto trading Ponzi scheme","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/mlm-reviews/cryptoprogram-review-crypto-trading-ponzi-scheme/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram Ponzi investor sues Ed Zimbardi","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ponzi-investor-sues-ed-zimbardi/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram ordered to cease trading in BC, Canada","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ordered-to-cease-trading-in-bc-canada/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram's Ed Zimbardi arrested in the Netherlands","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprograms-ed-zimbardi-arrested-in-the-netherlands/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: CryptoProgram rebrands as Amsys after fraud warnings","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-rebrands-as-amsys-after-fraud-warnings/"},{"credibility":3,"name":"BehindMLM: Amsys withdrawal delays, excuses and regulatory lies","type":"community_report","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/amsys-withdrawal-delays-excuses-regulatory-lies/"}],"summary":"Edward Zimbardi, 59, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, is accused of operating 'The Crypto Program,' an alleged cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that prosecutors allege collected more than $165 million from at least 6,000 investors worldwide between June 2022 and August 2023 by promising guaranteed 25% monthly returns on fake advertising packages. Zimbardi was indicted on 25 federal counts on July 8, 2026, by a grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia, deported from Fiji on August 14, 2026, and appeared before a federal magistrate in Los Angeles on August 17, 2026. All charges are allegations; no conviction has been entered.","timeline":[{"date":"1997-01-01","event":"Edward Zimbardi convicted of eight counts of felony theft by taking in Georgia; served approximately 17 months in prison.","source":"OCCRP","source_url":"https://www.occrp.org/en/news/fiji-hands-over-a-man-suspected-of-ponzi-style-crypto-investment-schemes-to-us"},{"date":"2022-10-28","event":"CryptoProgram.me domain privately registered, according to BehindMLM research.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/mlm-reviews/cryptoprogram-review-crypto-trading-ponzi-scheme/"},{"date":"2022-06-01","event":"The Crypto Program begins soliciting investors, per the federal indictment.","source":"DOJ USAO-NDGA","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"date":"2023-01-22","event":"BehindMLM publishes review identifying CryptoProgram as an MLM Ponzi scheme with no verifiable external revenue.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/mlm-reviews/cryptoprogram-review-crypto-trading-ponzi-scheme/"},{"date":"2023-03-01","event":"British Columbia Securities Commission issues a fraud warning about CryptoProgram.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ordered-to-cease-trading-in-bc-canada/"},{"date":"2023-05-01","event":"British Columbia Securities Commission orders CryptoProgram and Zimbardi to cease trading securities in BC.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ordered-to-cease-trading-in-bc-canada/"},{"date":"2023-06-01","event":"California DFPI issues Desist and Refrain Order against CryptoProgram and Zimbardi for unregistered securities offering and operating a Ponzi scheme.","source":"California DFPI","source_url":"https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2023/06/D-R-CryptoProgram.pdf"},{"date":"2023-07-01","event":"CryptoProgram rebrands as Amsys following regulatory fraud warnings from British Columbia and California.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-rebrands-as-amsys-after-fraud-warnings/"},{"date":"2023-08-01","event":"The Crypto Program / Amsys collapses; scheme concludes per the federal indictment. Investors unable to withdraw funds.","source":"DOJ USAO-NDGA","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"date":"2024-03-05","event":"Dutch authorities arrest Zimbardi in the Netherlands on suspicion of money laundering, reportedly linked to a separate alleged scheme involving Dutch suspect Corina de Jong and Mugan Markets. Zimbardi released within days.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprograms-ed-zimbardi-arrested-in-the-netherlands/"},{"date":"2025-07-01","event":"Zimbardi allegedly flees to Fiji after learning of the active FBI investigation.","source":"DOJ USAO-NDGA","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"date":"2025-07-25","event":"Civil lawsuit filed in Georgia by investor LeeAnn Harper against Zimbardi, Ramon Gemperle, and Christopher Livingston, alleging RICO, fraud, and securities violations.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ponzi-investor-sues-ed-zimbardi/"},{"date":"2026-02-06","event":"Georgia court clerk enters default against Zimbardi in the Harper civil lawsuit.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/cryptoprogram-ponzi-investor-sues-ed-zimbardi/"},{"date":"2026-05-01","event":"Zimbardi allegedly cancels attendance at his son's Virginia wedding, suspecting FBI surveillance.","source":"CBS News Atlanta","source_url":"https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/flowery-branch-man-accused-of-running-165-million-crypto-ponzi-scheme-deported-from-fiji/"},{"date":"2026-07-08","event":"Federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia returns 25-count indictment against Zimbardi: 12 wire fraud, 12 money laundering, 1 conspiracy to commit money laundering.","source":"DOJ USAO-NDGA","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"date":"2026-08-14","event":"Fijian immigration authorities deport Zimbardi to the United States, coordinated with the FBI and U.S. Department of State.","source":"DOJ USAO-NDGA","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges"},{"date":"2026-08-17","event":"Zimbardi appears before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles; prosecutors seek pretrial detention pending transfer to Georgia.","source":"crypto.news","source_url":"https://crypto.news/crypto-ponzi-suspect-faces-25-charges/"}]},"v":1}

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