17 Jan 2025

The U.S. Presidential Candidate Implicated in Crypto Scandal

The U.S. Presidential Candidate Implicated in Crypto Scandal

Before the U.S. election campaign even begins, controversies are making headlines. Congressman George Santos is now in the spotlight, as accusations related to a crypto scam come to light.

On this page

The New York Times has published an investigative piece spotlighting the business activities of a potential Republican presidential nominee. Insider sources suggest that George Santos leveraged his political connections for personal gain. Furthermore, it's believed he redirected campaign donations into deceptive schemes to siphon off funds.

What did the journalists uncover?

The investigators delved deep into Santos' activities and associates from 2019 to 2023. Their findings suggest that he can be officially charged on the following grounds:

  1. Distorting information about his income.
  2. Collecting $24,000 in unemployment benefits while being formally employed.
  3. Capitalizing on the COVID epidemic by trading in testing kits, masks, and sanitizers.
  4. Appointing Nancy Marks as the campaign treasurer. She's recognized within Republican circles as an accountant closely associated with the criminal world.
  5. Coercing $50,000 from his political backers.

The report details 13 illicit incidents, but one that stands out and is of particular interest to us is the cryptocurrency scam, which we'll discuss in depth.

The Nigerian Prince Scam

The NYT report reveals that George Santos, alongside three other Republicans, pitched a cryptocurrency business venture to their benefactor, Dominick Sartorio. 

They suggested setting up a limited liability company, inviting him to become part of a fund that would facilitate transactions. He had to deposit a portion of his cryptocurrency into the fund's digital wallet. 

Santos himself vouched that a buyer was already in the wings: a prominent Polish entrepreneur keen on purchasing substantial digital assets at a premium price. However, purportedly due to unforeseen circumstances, the businessman's bank accounts were temporarily frozen, preventing a direct transaction and seemingly necessitating the involvement of the fund. 

Luckily, Sartorio, demonstrating prudence, pressed for details about this mysterious buyer but was met with evasiveness. The enigmatic absence of disclosure was rationalized by claims that members of the “fund” were bound by an NDA — an agreement Sartorio was also expected to sign. However, when Sartorio was informed about the coincidentally frozen accounts, he recognized the hallmarks of a classic con game, akin to the Nigerian prince scam.

Essentially, Santos attempted to lure one of his primary sponsors into a timeworn swindle that dangled the allure of significant returns against a minor initial investment. Speaking with the media, Dominick Sartorio speculated that Santos might have fallen victim to this “fund” himself and was now attempting to recover his own losses by luring new participants.

If these allegations prove to be true, George Santos' political career could be severely jeopardized.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author

Latest News

MORE
The Future of Crypto in 2025: Fidelity’s Predictions

The Future of Crypto in 2025: Fidelity’s Predictions

What’s next for the biggest cryptocurrencies in 2025? Fidelity Digital Assets analyst Chris Kuiper shares insights on how Bitcoin will navigate volatility, Ethereum will address scaling challenges, and stablecoins will adapt to evolving regulations.

13 Jan 2025
The Crypto Rollercoaster of 2024 — Wins and Woes

The Crypto Rollercoaster of 2024 — Wins and Woes

The crypto sector evolved at breakneck speed in 2024. With major wins and notable setbacks, it’s time to reflect on the year’s key developments and their implications for the future.

31 Dec 2024
OpenSea Token: Release Date and How to Qualify for the Airdrop

OpenSea Token: Release Date and How to Qualify for the Airdrop

The NFT marketplace OpenSea, a pioneer in the space for the past seven years, is expected to launch its native token in 2025. A significant portion of the tokens will likely be distributed through a retroactive airdrop—a common way to reward the community for their past activity and support.

30 Dec 2024
5 Most Exciting Token Launches to Watch in 2025

5 Most Exciting Token Launches to Watch in 2025

In 2024, we saw a number of hot airdrops and token launches, from AI-powered projects to the rise of memecoins. Now, as we head into 2025, the crypto space is set to expand even further with an increasing number of cryptocurrencies.

27 Dec 2024

Latest News Alt

MORE
OKX Exchange: Avoid Common Mistakes When Trading Cryptocurrency

OKX Exchange: Avoid Common Mistakes When Trading Cryptocurrency

Practical Guide to Using the OKX Exchange OKX, formerly OKEx, started as a platform for cryptocurrency swaps. As it gained popularity, it expanded its services to become a full-scale exchange, supporting the buying and selling of a wide range of crypto assets. In January 2022, the platform rebranded, simplifying its name by removing the “Ex” […]

11 Jan 2025
Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 6, 2025)

Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 6, 2025)

An overview of BTC, ETH, XAUT, and S&P500 charts, along with the current cryptocurrency market dynamics.

06 Jan 2025
Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Dec 30, 2024)

Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Dec 30, 2024)

An overview of BTC, ETH, XAUT, and S&P500 charts, and the current cryptocurrency market dynamics.

30 Dec 2024

Might Be Interesting

MORE
What Is DeFAI? How Is It Different from the DeFi We Know?

What Is DeFAI? How Is It Different from the DeFi We Know?

AI in crypto is leading to new categories, one of which is DeFAI. From the first guess, you can correctly tell that DeFAI is the combination of decentralized finance (DeFi) and artificial intelligence (AI).

16 Jan 2025
Buterin Proposes Guardian System to Enhance Digital Wallet Security

Buterin Proposes Guardian System to Enhance Digital Wallet Security

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a new security model for crypto wallets, based on social recovery and multisig technology. The system would divide access rights among multiple trusted parties, with each holding a unique key. Transactions would require approval from several of these keyholders to proceed.

15 Jan 2025
Mining Farms Uncovered — How Crypto Is Mined at Scale

Mining Farms Uncovered — How Crypto Is Mined at Scale

As a cornerstone of the crypto industry, mining farms drive blockchain networks. But how do they work? Uncover the mechanics behind these cutting-edge hubs and their role in the crypto landscape.

07 Jan 2025
William Quigley, WAX/Tether: Stablecoins’ Role in Global Payments

William Quigley, WAX/Tether: Stablecoins’ Role in Global Payments

William Quigley, co-founder of WAX and Tether, firmly believes that stablecoins are more than a tool for traders—they’re the key to transforming the global economy. Already central to crypto trading and cross-border payments, their future potential is even more exciting.

04 Jan 2025
Why Blockchain Is Different from Traditional Databases

Why Blockchain Is Different from Traditional Databases

In the world of business and finance, information is everything. Traditional databases have been reliable tools for decades, but blockchain presents a groundbreaking alternative. What sets it apart, and could it lead to a paradigm shift?

03 Jan 2025
How Does Multisig Works and Protect Your Assets?

How Does Multisig Works and Protect Your Assets?

As threats to digital assets evolve, multisig technology provides a highly effective security layer. By requiring multiple signatures for transactions, it significantly reduces risks such as hacking and access loss.

02 Jan 2025

Opinions

How Beating Freysa Could Change the Future of AI Agents

How Beating Freysa Could Change the Future of AI Agents

Freysa, an AI agent that made headlines after a November 2024 experiment, tasked users with getting it to send funds from its reserves. But Freysa had one rule: under no circumstances should it approve the transfer of money.

16 Jan 2025
Why Bitcoin’s Growth Is Slowing: Insights from the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund

Why Bitcoin’s Growth Is Slowing: Insights from the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund

Bitcoin’s strong rally in late 2024, spurred by optimism following the U.S. presidential election results, has begun to lose steam. The market initially surged on expectations tied to Trump’s potential second term and hopes of a strategic Bitcoin reserve. However, recent economic data, including a surprisingly strong jobs report, is causing some investors to reassess their positions.

15 Jan 2025
MORE

Interviews

Dmytro Gordon and Volodymyr Nosov: A Sensational Interview

Dmytro Gordon and Volodymyr Nosov: A Sensational Interview

Volodymyr Nosov, CEO of Europe’s largest crypto exchange WhiteBIT, sat down with Dmytro Gordon, one of Ukraine’s most prominent journalists. The interview touched on Bitcoin, crypto, WhiteBIT, cars, keys to success, and business vision.

18 Dec 2024
WhiteBIT CEO: Standing Strong Against Russian Aggression

WhiteBIT CEO: Standing Strong Against Russian Aggression

In an interview with BTC-ECHO, Volodymyr Nosov, the founder and CEO of WhiteBIT, discussed the impact of Russian aggression on the crypto exchange’s business, how WhiteBIT stays a top competitor in the industry, and when he believes our financial system will be completely transformed.

04 Oct 2024
MORE