A Cuban citizen, Carlos Batista Valdés, who has been arrested in Namibia for his alleged involvement in a large-scale international cryptocurrency scam, has declared his innocence. This statement was made on Thursday during a court hearing in Windhoek, the nation's capital, where he appeared alongside thirteen other defendants.
According to reports from The Namibian, all the accused individuals have denied the 222 charges they are facing. These charges include fraud, organized crime (racketeering), 98 counts of human trafficking, and 98 counts related to the use of trafficking victims' services. Additionally, they are accused of working illegally in Namibia without proper permits and overstaying their visas.
During the proceedings, none of the defendants provided a formal explanation for their plea nor did they make any confessions to Magistrate Monica Andjaba. As a result, the case has been adjourned until July 31, when Namibia's Attorney General will decide on the next steps in the criminal proceedings.
The alleged scam, which came to light in October 2023 with the arrest of 15 individuals, was reportedly carried out through a company registered in Namibia called Raylon Investment. This company employed over 150 Namibians in Windhoek, as stated by Attorney General Martha Imalwa. The scheme supposedly operated by creating fake identities on digital platforms to communicate with and gain the trust of international victims, convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities.
Authorities estimate that the scam amassed a total of 465,400 US dollars, approximately 9 million Namibian dollars. Among those accused are 10 Chinese nationals, one Singaporean, three Namibians, and the Cuban Carlos Batista Valdés. All defendants are currently out on bail as the legal process continues.
One of the accused, Chinese national Li Zirian, failed to appear at court hearings on March 31 and last Thursday, leading the court to issue a warrant for her arrest despite her previous release on bail of 70,000 Namibian dollars in September 2023.
As of now, there have been no detailed revelations regarding the specific role of the Cuban citizen in the scam's operations, nor any direct connections with Raylon Investment or its victims. The case remains under active investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Namibia Cryptocurrency Scam
What charges are the defendants facing in the Namibia cryptocurrency scam case?
The defendants are facing 222 charges, including fraud, organized crime (racketeering), human trafficking, and using trafficking victims' services, among others.
What was the estimated amount involved in the cryptocurrency scam?
The scam is estimated to have involved approximately 465,400 US dollars, equivalent to around 9 million Namibian dollars.
What is the status of the legal proceedings for the accused?
The case has been postponed until July 31, when the Attorney General of Namibia will decide on how to proceed with the criminal case. All defendants are currently out on bail.