An American accused of orchestrating a US$165 million Ponzi scheme has been deported from Fiji after allegedly fleeing there to avoid federal prosecution in the United States.
Edward Zimbardi, 59, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, was deported on August 14 following coordination between Fijian and United States authorities. He is facing 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
U.S. authorities allege Zimbardi created and promoted “The Crypto Program” between June 2022 and August 2023, promising investors a guaranteed 25 per cent monthly return from advertising packages.
Thousands of investors allegedly transferred more than US$165 million in cryptocurrency into wallets secretly controlled by Zimbardi.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said Zimbardi allegedly used investors’ money for purposes other than those promised.
“Zimbardi allegedly tricked thousands of people to invest in his ‘Crypto Program’ with false promises of enormous returns,” Hertzberg said.
“Instead, he spent the money on risky currency trades, payments to early investors, and treating himself to a house and expensive vehicles.”
Authorities allege Zimbardi gambled more than US$34 million on risky foreign currency trades, used money from later investors to pay earlier investors and spent at least US$10 million on personal expenses.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Zimbardi travelled to Hawaii, Fiji and other locations after the scheme collapsed in August 2023.
Authorities allege that after becoming aware of the FBI investigation, he fled to Fiji in July 2025 and remained in the country for more than a year.
“When his scam imploded, he allegedly tried to evade federal prosecution by fleeing to the other side of the world,” Hertzberg said.
“Thanks to law enforcement and diplomatic authorities in Fiji and the United States, Zimbardi is back on American soil and will face trial.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said Zimbardi allegedly fled more than 7,300 miles to the South Pacific.
“Scammers are trying everything they can to defraud people out of their hard-earned money, but the FBI is doing everything we can to make sure they don’t succeed, no matter where they hide,” Graham said.
Fijian authorities deported Zimbardi after learning of the charges, working with the FBI and U.S. Department of State.
The operation also involved Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration, Fiji Police Force and the U.S. Embassy in Suva’s Diplomatic Security Service.
Zimbardi is due to face federal court proceedings in the United States.
The charges remain allegations, and Zimbardi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
