Crypto Program Founder Charged with $165M Investor Fraud

The scheme fell apart in August 2023. Investors lost their money. Zimbardi then traveled to Hawaii, Fiji, and other locations.

In July 2025, he learned the FBI was investigating him. He moved to Fiji and stayed there for more than a year. In May 2026, Zimbardi skipped his own son’s wedding in Virginia. He reportedly suspected FBI agents would try to arrest him there.

On August 14, 2026, Fijian authorities deported Zimbardi to the United States. U.S. and Fijian officials worked together on the deportation after Fiji learned about the federal charges.

A federal grand jury indicted Zimbardi on July 8, 2026. He faces twelve counts of wire fraud, twelve counts of money laundering, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said Zimbardi tricked people with false promises of high returns, spending money on risky trades, payouts to earlier investors, and personal purchases. FBI Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said Zimbardi allegedly fled more than 7,300 miles to the South Pacific after the scheme collapsed, and the FBI worked to bring him back.

The FBI is asking anyone who invested in The Crypto Program to submit information through its victim reporting page. The agency says it will reach out to victims later about restitution.

Zimbardi is 59 years old and lives in Flowery Branch, Georgia. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless the government proves its case at trial. The case was investigated by the FBI, with help from the State Department, the SEC, the CFTC, and other agencies in the U.S. and Fiji.