Fact-check findings

No source the reviewer could reach confirms or contradicts the claim.

1. #15[unverifiable][awaiting moderator]in section: Asset Freeze, Seized Property, and Lifestyle Expenditures

   “Brazil's Operation Yang (September 13, 2023) separately froze up to R$300 million (approximately $55 million USD) in Brazilian bank accounts and blocked 52 properties primarily in Brasilia, Goiania, and Caldas Novas.”

   reviewerBrazil's 'Operation Yang' (named as such) took place September 13, 2023, froze up to R$300 million and blocked 52 properties, primarily in Brasilia, Goiania, and Caldas NovasThe underlying facts (date, R$300M, 52 properties, locations) are well corroborated, but no source located — including the page's own cited BehindMLM article and multiple targeted English- and Portuguese-language searches — uses or confirms the name 'Operation Yang' for this Brazilian Federal Police action. This specific detail could not be verified and its origin is unclear.
   citedbehindmlm.com/companies/empiresx/mining-…zures-in-brazil/
2. #17[unverifiable][awaiting moderator]in section: Brazil Arrest, Trial, and Extradition Barrier

   “Capuci and co-defendant Emerson Pires were arrested by Brazilian Federal Police on approximately September 13, 2023, as part of Operation Yang, launched based on intelligence shared by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) from the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.”

   reviewerCapuci and Pires arrested by Brazilian Federal Police on approximately September 13, 2023, as part of 'Operation Yang', based on HSI intelligence from the U.S. Embassy in BrasiliaArrest date and HSI involvement are confirmed. The specific operation name 'Operation Yang' remains unverified — see the linked finding on sections[5] for the same defect.
   citedbehindmlm.com/companies/empiresx/mining-…zures-in-brazil/
3. #23[unverifiable][awaiting moderator]in the timeline

   “Brazilian Federal Police launch Operation Yang; Capuci and Pires are arrested. Authorities freeze up to R$300 million (~$55M USD) in bank accounts and block 52 properties across Brazil.”

   reviewerTimeline: Brazilian Federal Police launch 'Operation Yang' on 2023-09-13, arresting Capuci and Pires and freezing up to R$300M / blocking 52 propertiesSame underlying issue as the sections[5] and sections[6] findings: the operation's name cannot be verified from the cited source or any other source found. All other facts in this timeline entry are corroborated.
   citedbehindmlm.com/companies/empiresx/mining-…zures-in-brazil/

A cited source no longer resolves or no longer says what the page attributes to it.

1. #25[link rot][awaiting moderator]in the cited sources

   “https://web.archive.org/web/20260810183226/https://www.engadget.com/2185986/heres-what-you-should-and-shouldnt-plug-into-a-tv-usb-port/?ajax=1”

   reviewersources_used archive_url for the Engadget article is a valid archived snapshot of that articleThe live source URL is correct and confirms the claims cited to it. However, its archive_url is an archived snapshot of a completely unrelated Engadget article ('what you should and shouldn't plug into a TV USB port'), so the archival provenance record for this citation is broken. Recommend removing or regenerating this archive snapshot.
   citedwww.engadget.com/doj-indicts-mining-capi…d-230007393.html

The cited evidence supports the claim as written.

1. #1[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary

   “Luiz Carlos Capuci Jr. is the co-founder and CEO of MCC International Corp. (doing business as Mining Capital Coin) and the operator of CPTLCoin Corp. and Bitchain Exchanges.”

   reviewerCapuci is co-founder/CEO of MCC International Corp. (dba Mining Capital Coin) and operator of CPTLCoin Corp. and Bitchain ExchangesDirectly supported by the SEC's own press release and complaint summary.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
2. #2[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary

   “He is the subject of a DOJ criminal indictment unsealed in May 2022 for allegedly orchestrating a $62 million global cryptocurrency investment fraud affecting more than 65,000 investors, and faces up to 45 years in prison on three conspiracy counts.”

   reviewerDOJ criminal indictment unsealed May 2022 alleges $62 million fraud affecting more than 65,000 investors, max 45 yearsCorroborated by DOJ, SEC, and multiple contemporaneous news outlets (Decrypt, Protos, Engadget, CoinTelegraph).
   citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuciwww.engadget.com/doj-indicts-mining-capi…d-230007393.html
3. #3[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary

   “In August 2025, a U.S. federal court entered a $46 million default judgment against him and co-defendant Emerson Sousa Pires in the parallel SEC civil case.”

   reviewerAugust 2025 federal court entered a $46 million default judgment against Capuci and Pires in the SEC civil caseConfirmed by Bloomberg Law, Law360 and Morrison Foerster's enforcement tracker, which independently corroborate the date and dollar breakdown used elsewhere on the page.
   citednews.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/crypto-…lion-in-sec-suitwww.law360.com/articles/2381552/sec-nets…rypto-fraud-case
4. #4[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Identity and Background

   “Luiz Carlos Capuci Jr. is a Brazilian national who resided in Port St. Lucie, Florida at the time U.S. charges were filed in 2022.”

   reviewerCapuci is a Brazilian national who resided in Port St. Lucie, Florida when charges were filed, and relocated to Brazil, which does not extradite its own citizensBrazil's constitutional bar on extraditing its own nationals is well-established and consistent with subsequent reporting on Capuci remaining in Brazil.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
5. #5[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fraud Scheme: Mining Capital Coin

   “The SEC's complaint alleges the defendants sold these packages to 65,535 investors and netted at least $8.1 million from package sales and $3.2 million in initiation fees, with the DOJ estimating total investor losses at approximately $62 million.”

   reviewerBeginning January 2018, Capuci and Pires sold mining packages promising 1% daily returns paid weekly for up to 52 weeks; SEC alleges 65,535 investors, $8.1M from package sales and $3.2M in initiation fees, DOJ estimates $62M in total lossesFigures match the primary regulatory source exactly.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81
6. #6[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fraud Scheme: Mining Capital Coin

   “According to the indictment and SEC complaint, Capuci did not use investor funds to mine cryptocurrency; instead, he allegedly diverted approximately $11 million directly into personal cryptocurrency wallets.”

   reviewerCapuci allegedly diverted approximately $11 million directly into personal cryptocurrency wallets rather than miningThe page's cited source (Protos) directly and specifically supports the $11 million figure in near-identical language. Note for awareness: at least one other reputable outlet (Daily Beast) cites a higher $18.5 million figure for Capuci's individual diversion, so some variance exists in secondary reporting, but this does not contradict the specific source cited by the page.
   citedprotos.com/crypto-mining-boss-faces-45-y…-pyramid-scheme/
7. #7[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fraud Scheme: Mining Capital Coin

   “MCC was further alleged to have recruited investors through a multi-level marketing structure in which 'promoters' or 'leaders' received gifts — including Apple Watches, iPads, and Capuci's personal Ferrari — for recruiting new participants.”

   reviewerMCC recruited investors via MLM structure rewarding promoters with Apple Watches, iPads, and Capuci's FerrariConfirmed by multiple independent outlets using near-identical language to the SEC/DOJ materials.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81decrypt.co/99764/department-of-justice-i…62m-fraud-scheme
8. #8[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fraud Scheme: Mining Capital Coin

   “The company also allegedly fabricated institutional partnerships, claiming affiliation with the Clinton Foundation (to fund African schools) and the World Bank (for eco-friendly mining infrastructure); neither partnership existed.”

   reviewerMCC fabricated partnerships with the Clinton Foundation (African schools) and the World Bank (eco-friendly mining infrastructure)Independently corroborated detail consistent with the indictment's fraud narrative.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81
9. #9[confirmed][no action needed]in section: CPTLCoin and Bitchain: Alleged Token Trap

   “The SEC characterized Bitchain as a 'fake crypto asset trading platform.'”

   reviewerSEC characterized Bitchain as a 'fake crypto asset trading platform' that blocked withdrawals, forcing investors to buy more packages or forfeitDirect quote match to the primary regulatory source.
   citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81
10. #10[confirmed][no action needed]in section: DOJ Criminal Indictment

    “The DOJ indictment against Capuci was unsealed on May 5, 2022, by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.”

    reviewerDOJ indictment unsealed May 5, 2022, Case No. 22-20173-CR-Altonaga, S.D. Fla., before Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga; three conspiracy counts (wire fraud, securities fraud, international money laundering), max 45 years; FBI Miami Field Office led investigationAll elements (date, case number, judge, charges, sentence exposure, investigating office) independently corroborated.
    citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
11. #11[confirmed][no action needed]in section: DOJ Criminal Indictment

    “As of the information available through mid-2025, no guilty plea or conviction has been publicly reported in the U.S. criminal case, and Capuci remains in Brazil where extradition is legally unavailable to U.S. authorities under Brazilian law.”

    reviewerNo guilty plea or conviction has been publicly reported in the U.S. criminal case as of mid-2025; Capuci remains in Brazil where extradition is unavailableThis is a negative claim (absence of an event). Targeted searches for a plea, conviction, or sentencing through the current date returned no results, consistent with the page's statement.
    citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
12. #12[confirmed][no action needed]in section: SEC Civil Action and $46 Million Default Judgment

    “The SEC filed its civil complaint in April 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 2:22-cv-14129-KMM) before Judge K. Michael Moore.”

    reviewerSEC filed civil complaint April 2022, Case No. 2:22-cv-14129-KMM, S.D. Fla., before Judge K. Michael Moore; April 21, 2022 TRO and asset freeze including luxury vehicles and a boatCase number, judge, and TRO date all independently corroborated via the SEC press release and the public court docket.
    citedwww.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-81
13. #13[confirmed][no action needed]in section: SEC Civil Action and $46 Million Default Judgment

    “The judgment comprises approximately $28.5 million in disgorgement and approximately $7.8 million in prejudgment interest, with the remainder in civil monetary penalties.”

    reviewerAugust 26, 2025 default judgment of approximately $46 million comprising ~$28.5M disgorgement and ~$7.8M prejudgment interest, with remainder in civil penaltiesNote: some outlets (Bloomberg Law, Law360) describe the judgment as entered 'Tuesday, August 27, 2025' rather than August 26; August 26, 2025 is in fact a Tuesday, so this is likely an off-by-one date error in secondary reporting rather than in the page, and the page's date is corroborated by the more detailed Morrison Foerster analysis.
    citedwww.mofo.com/resources/insights/250929-t…-for-august-2025
14. #14[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Asset Freeze, Seized Property, and Lifestyle Expenditures

    “After Capuci relocated to Brazil, the SEC detected that some of the frozen property had been listed for sale; the SEC moved for contempt.”

    reviewerCapuci purchased multiple luxury vehicles (two Ferraris, a Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz), a yacht and real estate; TRO froze these; SEC later moved for contempt after some frozen property was listed for saleDirect fetch of behindmlm.com returned HTTP 403 from this network, but the substance was corroborated via independent search-indexed excerpts of the same article.
    citedbehindmlm.com/companies/luiz-capuci-jr-u…g-him-in-brazil/protos.com/crypto-mining-boss-faces-45-y…-pyramid-scheme/
15. #16[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Asset Freeze, Seized Property, and Lifestyle Expenditures

    “Over 100 Brazilian Federal Police officers executed 25 search and seizure warrants across eight Brazilian states during the operation.”

    reviewerOver 100 Brazilian Federal Police officers executed 25 search and seizure warrants across eight Brazilian statesOfficer count, warrant count, and state count all match the cited source precisely.
    citedbehindmlm.com/companies/empiresx/mining-…zures-in-brazil/
16. #18[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Brazil Arrest, Trial, and Extradition Barrier

    “By August 2024, Capuci had dismissed his U.S. legal counsel — Wellman & Warren LLP withdrew on August 2, 2024, followed by local counsel Gregg S. Lerman on August 22, 2024 — reportedly because he could no longer afford U.S. representation due to the cost of Brazilian criminal proceedings.”

    reviewerBrazil's criminal trial against Capuci began August 21, 2024; Wellman & Warren LLP withdrew Aug 2, 2024, local counsel Gregg S. Lerman withdrew Aug 22, 2024, reportedly for inability to payAll dates and the stated reason (inability to pay) are corroborated by the cited source via search-indexed excerpts.
    citedbehindmlm.com/companies/luiz-capuci-cant…trial-in-brazil/
17. #19[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Investor Impact

    “The U.S. DOJ victim assistance line (1-888-513-0867) was activated for the case, and victims were directed to register with the FBI.”

    reviewerSEC's complaint documented 65,535 individual investor accounts; DOJ estimates aggregate losses ~$62 million; victims across South Korea, US, Brazil, and other countries; DOJ victim assistance line 1-888-513-0867 activatedThe phone number corresponds to the S.D. Fla. Victim-Witness Assistance program; could not independently confirm it was quoted verbatim on the specific case page due to fetch limitations, but the number and its purpose are consistent with official DOJ victim-notification practice for this district.
    citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
18. #20[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Investor Impact

    “A February 2025 magistrate judge recommendation in the SEC civil case found that approximately $28 million in disgorgement was warranted, reflecting verified misappropriated funds, with the final August 2025 judgment incorporating additional interest and penalties to reach the approximately $46 million total.”

    reviewerFebruary 2025 magistrate judge recommendation found approximately $28 million in disgorgement warranted; final August 2025 judgment added interest/penalties to reach ~$46 millionInitially flagged as a possible internal contradiction between two Law360/Bloomberg headlines ($28M vs $46M) but resolved on full-text review: $28M is the disgorgement component and $46M is the combined total, consistent with the page's own framing.
    citednews.bloomberglaw.com/securities-law/cry…-magistrate-says
19. #21[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Regulatory and Legal Status Summary

    “No plea agreement, conviction, or sentence has been publicly reported in U.S. proceedings.”

    reviewerAs of mid-2026, all three legal tracks (DOJ criminal case, SEC judgment, Brazilian criminal trial) remain as described, with no publicly reported plea, conviction, or Brazilian trial outcomeSearches for updated 2025-2026 developments (plea, conviction, Brazilian verdict) returned no results contradicting this statement.
    citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capucibehindmlm.com/companies/luiz-capuci-cant…trial-in-brazil/
20. #22[confirmed][no action needed]in the timeline

    “DOJ unseals indictment against Capuci (Case No. 22-20173-CR-Altonaga, S.D. Fla.) charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, and international money laundering; maximum exposure of 45 years.”

    reviewerTimeline: DOJ unseals indictment 2022-05-05, Case No. 22-20173-CR-AltonagaConsistent with sections[3] and independently corroborated news coverage confirming the May 5, 2022 unsealing date.
    citedwww.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/us-v-luis-capuci
21. #24[confirmed][no action needed]in the timeline

    “Judge K. Michael Moore (S.D. Fla.) enters a $46 million default judgment against Capuci, Pires, MCC International, CPTLCoin Corp., and Bitchain Exchanges, comprising ~$28.5M disgorgement, ~$7.8M prejudgment interest, and civil monetary penalties.”

    reviewerTimeline: default judgment entered 2025-08-26 for $46 million, comprising ~$28.5M disgorgement, ~$7.8M prejudgment interest, and civil monetary penaltiesSee notes on the corresponding sections[4] finding regarding minor date variance (Aug 26 vs Aug 27) in secondary reporting; page's date is corroborated by the more detailed source.
    citednews.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/crypto-…lion-in-sec-suit