US v. Luiz C. Capuci, Jr.

United States v. Luiz Carlos Capuci Jr. (22-20173-CR-Altonaga)

Bitconnect Investigation: https://forms.fbi.gov/seeking-victims-in-bitconnect-investigation

Court Assigned: This case is assigned to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Wilkie D. Ferguson Federal Courthouse, 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Fl 33128.  The assigned judge is Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga.

Summary of Offenses:

As alleged in court documents, Luiz Capuci Jr. was the CEO and founder of Mining Capital Coin (MCC).  Capuci has been accused of  misleading investors about MCC’s cryptocurrency mining and investment program.  Under this program, investors could invest in MCC by purchasing “Mining Packages.”  These “Mining Packages” were supposed to be a safe, profitable investment that involved MCC using thousands of cryptocurrency mining machines to mine cryptocurrency and create sustained and reliable profits for investors.  MCC also promoted its supposed cryptocurrency trading and Forex trading capabilities, using enhanced robot technology, as mechanisms to create additional profits for investors. Capuci and his associates promoted MCC’s supposed international network of cryptocurrency mining machines as being able to generate substantial profits and guaranteed returns by using investors’ money to mine new cryptocurrency. Capuci also promoted MCC’s own cryptocurrency, Capital Coin, as a purported decentralized autonomous organization that was “stabilized by revenue from the biggest cryptocurrency mining operation in the world.”  Capuci and his associates relied on promoters, or “leaders” to recruit investors to invest in MCC’s cryptocurrency mining and investment program. After investors invested their money, they would learn that they could not generally withdraw any funds that they had invested and supposedly earned through MCC.

Scheduled Court Hearings:        

All hearings will occur before Chief United States District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Federal Courthouse located at:

400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Fl 33128

Court proceedings may take place via Zoom; if you wish to attend via that method.

Note:  Please check the Court’s updated protocol pertaining to COVID-19 for information on courthouse access and policies.  The Court’s updated COVID-19 guidance is available here:  https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/

The information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll free at 1-888-513-0867 or email us at victimassistance.fraudsd@usdoj.gov. Please note: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic response, the most reliable method of contacting victim-witness staff is via e-mail. If you need to speak to someone over the phone, let victim-witness staff know in your e-mail, and someone will call you as soon as practicable.

Presumption of Innocence: It is important to keep in mind that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that presumption requires both the court and our office to take certain steps to ensure that justice is served.

Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged. Section 3771(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the Government (or the Court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.

If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. District Court, James L. King Federal Building, 99 NE 4^th Street, Miami, Florida 33132, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (305) 536-4940; or email: victimassistance.fraudsd@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.