Three of Jan Gregory’s MLM crypto Ponzi schemes have received fraud warnings from California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

As per an August 9th press-release, the DFPI has cited CloudFi, CoinMarketBull and Vortic United for “violations of California securities laws”.

The entities and individuals named in these actions solicited funds from investors to purportedly trade crypto assets on their behalf.

The entities in today’s actions are classic examples of high-yield investment programs (HYIPs).

HYIPs are investment frauds that typically promise high returns with low risk, promise overly consistent returns, provide little details about the people running the HYIP, use vague language to describe how the HYIP makes money, offer referral bonuses, facilitate deposits and withdrawals with crypto assets, and use social media to gain attention and attract investors.

“HYIP” has long been MLM underbelly code for “Ponzi scheme”. These days you’ll also find Ponzi promoters referring to them as “platforms”.

DFPI’s fraud warning is accompanied by three Desist and Refrain orders.

CoinMarketBull, or CMB, was a Ponzi scheme that pitched up to 1.8% a day. CoinMarketBull collapsed in June 2023.

DFPI cites Jan Gregory as CoinMarketBull’s Global Leader and Corporate Brand Manager.

At all relevant times, Cerato controlled and induced or provided substantial assistance to CoinMarketBull within the meaning of Corporations Code section 25403, subdivisions (a) and (b).

CoinMarketBull held itself out as a cryptocurrency trading platform.

In reality, a significant portion of the funds that CoinMarketBull received from investors was used to pay other investors, in the manner of a Ponzi scheme.

Vortic United is a Ponzi scheme that also pitches up to 1.8% a day.

Vortic United is run by Boris CEO Jensen Robles, played by German national Rene Schwarze.

DFPI cites Jan Gregory as Vortic United’s Chief Marketing Officer.

As per DFPI’s Vortic United Desist and Refrain order;

Vortic United held itself out as a cryptocurrency trading platform.

In fact, Vortic United was luring investors into what is known as a High-Yield Investment Program (HYIP).

HYIPs are unregistered investments typically run by unlicensed individuals – and are often frauds.

The Portfolios offered by Vortic United were securities that were neither qualified nor exempt from the qualification requirement under the CSL.

CloudFi is a Ponzi scheme that pitches a 1.25% daily ROI. DFPI cites Jan Gregory as CloudFi’s CEO.

As per DFPI’s CloudFI Desist and Refrain order;

CloudFi held itself out as a cryptocurrency trading platform.

In fact, CloudFi was luring investors into what is known as a High-Yield Investment Program (HYIP).

HYIPs are unregistered investments typically run by unlicensed individuals – and are often frauds.

The Packages offered by CloudFi were securities that were neither qualified nor exempt from the qualification requirement under the CSL.

Gregory has been ordered to desist and refrain from promoting CoinMarketBull, Vortic United and CloudFi to Californian residents.

It should be noted that securities law in California is no different to federal securities law. In other words, securities fraud in California is the equivalent of securities fraud across the US.

Gregory, aka Jan Strzepka and Jan Gregory Cerato, is a Canadian national and serial promoter of Ponzi schemes.

Gregory fled Canada after the Alberta Securities Commission fined him $165,000 for securities fraud in September 2022.

In handing down its order, the ASC noted Gregory

accepted little or no responsibility or regret and instead blamed others and exhibited contempt towards those who were harmed by his actions.

Gregory now hides out in Dubai, from where he now promotes fraudulent investment schemes to US residents.

In addition to CoinMarketBull, Vortic United and CloudFi, Gregory is also tied to Maxpread Technologies and SureX.

DFPI issued a Maxpread Technologies fraud warning, in which they named Gregory, back in April. Maxpread Technologies went on to collaspe in June.

Two days ago Gregory began promoting InvesableAI as a “CMB replacement”.

In response to BehindMLM’s ongoing coverage of Gregory’s securities fraud, Gregory issued a death threat against myself in June.

 

Update 17th August 2023 – In addition to CoinMarketBull, Vortic United and CloudFi have now also collapsed.