Men Accused Of Running Internet Ponzi Scheme

Two Central Florida men are under investigation for allegedly running an Internet scam that bilked investors out of millions of dollars. The men allegedly got rich, promising big returns, but they didn't deliver.

The two Central Florida business men are being investigated by the IRS and Secret Service for allegedly running the international ponzi scheme. Pedro Benevides and Daniel Rojo are accused of taking millions of dollars from EMG, a company federal agents say solicited funds from investors and promised 77 to 300 percent returns.

Investors would send the men millions of dollars. The funds were supposed to be invested into the foreign exchange market, but agents said the money was being used to supplement an extravagant lifestyle.

Records show Rojo bought real estate, vehicles and used the money to fund bank accounts held in his family members' names. Some purchases included a $430,000 Lamborghini Mercialago, a $207,000 Audi, a Corvette and he even bought his maid a $32,000 car.

WFTV tried to ask Rojo about the allegations at his Winter Garden home, but was stopped at the driveway.

“Nope, nobody is home at the present moment and nobody is allowed on the premises,” someone told WFTV reporter Mary Nguyen.

Even though no criminal charges have been filed, agents seized $30 million from Central Florida bank accounts and close to 300 bars of gold worth $93 million.

One of the Internet sites says the company is not allowed to accept any investments from any country in the world, because the company's assets are frozen by the United States.

Benevides' attorney says his client did nothing wrong

“We intend to pursue this, challenging it, and to get the money back,” his attorney said.

Investigators told WFTV the case is still open, so there would be no comment.