October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

SEC Charges NovaTech and Its Founders With Alleged $650 Million Crypto Fraud

The SEC’s civil case alleges NovaTech raised more than $650 million through a crypto investment and multilevel-marketing program. Here are the allegations and dated case updates.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The SEC accused NovaTech Ltd., its founders Cynthia and Eddy Petion, and six promoters of running a crypto investment and multilevel-marketing program that allegedly raised more than $650 million from over 200,000 investors worldwide. Those claims come from a civil complaint filed in August 2024; they are allegations, not findings that a court has established.

What did the SEC accuse NovaTech of?

In its August 12, 2024 announcement, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said the Petions operated NovaTech from 2019 through 2023 as a multilevel-marketing program that solicited crypto assets for purported trading in cryptocurrency and foreign-exchange markets. The SEC alleged the company and its promoters made misleading claims about returns and the safety of customers’ funds. SEC announcement

The SEC-filed complaint says NovaTech reported average returns of 2–3% per week and did not report a losing trading week. Those were figures NovaTech allegedly reported to investors, not independently verified investment performance. The complaint further alleges that the company traded only a small fraction of the assets it received. SEC complaint

The SEC quoted Cynthia Petion telling investors: “In this program, you are in profit from day one, because again you have access to that capital.” The agency presented the statement as part of its allegations about how the program was promoted, not as proof of a guaranteed or actual return.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
  • Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
  • Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.

How much money and how many investors were involved?

The SEC’s 2024 release alleges that NovaTech raised more than $650 million in crypto assets from more than 200,000 investors around the world. The $650 million figure is the amount allegedly raised, not a confirmed estimate of total investor losses. The materials cited here do not quantify total realized losses.

What does the complaint allege happened to investor funds?

According to the SEC, most investor funds were used for payments to existing investors and commissions to promoters rather than being traded as represented. The complaint also alleges the Petions diverted millions of dollars for themselves. These are allegations in the SEC’s civil case.

Rank #2
Sale
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 3 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet
  • Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide (4.9 App Store, 4.8 Google Play) - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets

The SEC says the program began to collapse around May 2023 after investors encountered withdrawal delays and regulatory actions or warnings. The agency alleges that most investors could not withdraw their investments. The complaint does not make the amount allegedly raised interchangeable with the amount investors ultimately lost.

Who was charged, and what claims did the SEC bring?

The SEC’s August 2024 case named NovaTech Ltd., Cynthia Petion, Eddy Petion, and six promoters: Martin Zizi, Dapilinu Dunbar, James Corbett, Corrie Sampson, John Garofano, and Marsha Hadley.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 2 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet
  • Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets

The agency said it brought the following claims:

  • NovaTech, the Petions, Zizi, Dunbar, Corbett, and Sampson were charged with antifraud violations of the Securities Act.
  • NovaTech, the Petions, Dunbar, and Sampson were also charged under antifraud provisions of the Exchange Act.
  • All defendants were charged with Securities Act registration violations.
  • The six promoters were charged with broker-registration violations.

The SEC sought permanent injunctions, disgorgement and civil penalties. A charge is not a court finding, and the requested remedies are not the same as an award a court has ordered. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida as SEC v. Nova Tech Ltd., et al., No. 1:24-cv-23058. SEC announcement

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What happened to the promoter defendants and the case?

Martin Zizi’s partial settlement

The SEC’s August 2024 release said Martin Zizi had agreed to a partial settlement without admitting or denying the allegations. It included a $100,000 civil penalty and a permanent injunction, with other monetary remedies to be determined later. The release said the settlement was subject to court approval; it did not describe this resolution as applying to the other defendants. SEC announcement

Rank #4
DCENT Hardware Wallet | Biometric Cold Storage, Bluetooth, Multi-Crypto
  • EAL5+ CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT + FINGERPRINT PROTECTION — Your private keys stay encrypted offline on a certified EAL5+ chip, the same security tier used in EMV bank cards. Built by DCENT, securing crypto since 2018. Fingerprint authentication adds a second layer no PIN-only wallet can match.
  • 10,000+ ASSETS NATIVE ON 100+ BLOCKCHAINS — Hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, popular stablecoins (USDT, USDC), and NFTs in one wallet. No third-party apps, no fragmented setup — every supported asset works straight out of the box.
  • TAP-TO-SIGN MOBILE EXPERIENCE — Pair your wallet with the DCENT mobile app over Bluetooth. Manage tokens, review transactions, and access in-app swap features directly from your phone — no cables, no desktop required.
  • WEB3 & dAPP ACCESS VIA METAMASK — Connect to MetaMask and other browser extension wallets to manage NFTs, claim airdrops, and access dApps. A large screen and intuitive 4-button interface keep every transaction clearly visible before you sign.
  • SEAMLESS FIRMWARE UPDATES & 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE — Apply security updates without resetting your wallet or migrating funds. Backed by Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee — your purchase is risk-free.

Later procedural updates

A January 30, 2026 court order addressed the SEC’s request to serve NovaTech and the Petions by WhatsApp, email and electronic publication. Court order

A secondary legal update published September 21, 2026 reported clerk’s defaults against NovaTech and the Petions, but said no default judgment had been entered as of that date. A clerk’s default is a procedural step, not a default judgment establishing liability or awarding relief. That report is time-bounded; it does not establish what happened after September 21, 2026. September 21, 2026 case update

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

Best Value
Trezor Safe 7 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Bluetooth for Android/iOS/Desktop
  • Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
  • Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
  • See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
  • Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
  • Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.