South African MTI mastermind dies in Brazil

The mastermind of what has been described as one of the largest crypto fraud schemes in the world, Mirror Trading International (MTI), has reportedly died in Brazil. Beeld reports that Johann Steynberg (40) died in his home on Monday and was buried on Wednesday. His Brazilian lawyer, Thales Jayme, told the publication Steynberg was married to a local woman. Steynberg died suddenly of a heart attack, Jayme said. Steynberg fled to Brazil after the scheme collapsed, leaving his wife, Nerina, with a mountain of debt in SA. Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said they have been told about Steynberg’s passing, but have yet to verify the information with Brazilian authorities. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila also said they are seeking verification of the death before abandoning criminal charges against Steynberg, but the criminal investigations relating to the scheme would continue. The SA authorities earlier requested Steyberg’s extradition to SA. The liquidators of MTI International, who are busy untangling what looks like an $425m scheme in SA alone, referred all queries to the Department of International Relations & Co-operation, which declined to comment.

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