SA fugitive detained in Brazil
Publish date: 17 January 2022
Issue Number: 956
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: General
The mystery around the whereabouts of illusive Mirror Trading International (MTI) CEO Johann Steynberg has been resolved. Brazilian military police confirmed he has been detained in the province of Goiás for allegedly using a false document. Moneyweb reports that Brandon Topham, head of enforcement at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), says his team has been notified by the Hawks of Steynberg’s arrest. According to Brazilian press reports, the police found Steynberg in possession of two fake IDs, two laptops, a cell phone and six credit cards. Steynberg last year fled SA following the MTI bitcoin scam. MTI was placed in provisional liquidation in December 2020, and final liquidation in July 2021. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world were sucked into the scheme which promised returns of up to 10% a month.