A man from Fort Lauderdale has been arrested by federal agents for allegedly scamming international investors out of more than $94 million. The suspect, Andrew Hamilton Jacobus, 64, is accused of running a years-long fraudulent investment scheme that mostly targeted Venezuelan nationals.
According to federal prosecutors, Jacobus misled victims by pretending to be a professional financial advisor who managed real investment portfolios. Instead, he used the money for personal luxury expenses and to repay earlier investors — a tactic known as a Ponzi scheme.
Fake Investments and Forged Documents
The alleged scheme took place between 2019 and 2023. During this time, Jacobus operated through two companies he controlled: Kronus Financial Corporation and Finser International. He promised investors high-yield returns from supposedly secure investment products. But investigators say those investments did not exist.
Instead of investing the money, Jacobus allegedly forged account statements and created false documents to make investors believe their money was growing. These fake records gave the illusion of successful investments, while in reality, the money was being diverted for personal use and to keep the scheme running.
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This method follows a classic Ponzi scheme model. In a Ponzi scheme, new investor money is used to pay earlier investors, rather than generating real profits. This keeps people thinking the investment is working, when it’s actually just money being passed around with no actual returns being made. Eventually, such schemes fall apart when there’s not enough new money coming in.
Understanding the Charges: Wire Fraud and Money Laundering
Jacobus now faces serious federal charges: wire fraud and money laundering. These charges were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where the case is listed under number 25-cr-20309.
Wire fraud involves using electronic communication — like emails, phone calls, or bank transfers — to carry out a scam or steal money. In this case, prosecutors say Jacobus used such methods to trick investors and move their money through different accounts and businesses under his control.
Money laundering is the process of hiding the source of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. Federal agents allege that Jacobus used investor funds for purposes unrelated to the promised investments, and disguised the true source and nature of the money by moving it through various channels.
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Each count of wire fraud and money laundering can result in up to 20 years in federal prison, along with forfeiture of assets and restitution to the victims. That means Jacobus could be ordered to give back stolen funds and also lose any property or wealth gained through the scheme.
Federal Agencies Lead Investigation
The arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, along with Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office.
The IRS-CI is a division of the Internal Revenue Service that investigates crimes like tax evasion, money laundering, and financial fraud. They often work on complex cases where large sums of money are involved. Their role is to trace illegal money flows and uncover how the money was moved and hidden.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is leading the prosecution for the case. Jacobus has already made his initial appearance in federal court, where the charges against him were read.
According to the indictment, the scam specifically targeted Venezuelan nationals — many of whom were seeking safe investment options outside their home country. Prosecutors say Jacobus exploited their trust by making false promises, giving them fake documents, and ultimately stealing their money.
