A federal court has delivered another major sentence in the IcomTech fraud saga.
On December 18, 2025, U.S. authorities sentenced Magdaleno Mendoza to 71 months in prison, underscoring the ongoing crackdown on one of the crypto industry’s most notorious Ponzi schemes. The ruling also includes nearly $790,000 in restitution and the forfeiture of roughly $1.5 million in illicit gains.
A Recruitment Engine Targeting Vulnerable Communities
Mendoza was not a background figure. Prosecutors described him as a core promoter who actively expanded IcomTech’s reach. He focused heavily on Spanish-speaking and working-class investors, many of whom had little exposure to legitimate investment products.
IcomTech sold itself as a crypto mining and trading operation. It advertised unusually high daily returns and quick profit doubling. In reality, funds from new participants were recycled to pay earlier investors, while promoters financed luxury lifestyles.
Guilty Plea And Continued Fraud
In July 2025, Mendoza pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and illegal reentry into the United States. Court records show his conduct did not stop when IcomTech began to collapse. After payouts dried up, he continued promoting other crypto schemes with similar characteristics.
The original operation began unraveling in late 2019. Investor complaints surged once withdrawals stopped, triggering law enforcement scrutiny.
Part Of A Wider Federal Case
Mendoza’s sentence follows earlier convictions tied to the scheme. IcomTech founder David Carmona received nearly 10 years in prison. Former CEO Marco Ruiz Ochoa was sentenced to five years.
Prosecutors say the case highlights a recurring pattern. Fraudsters often exploit trust within close-knit communities, using social connections and aggressive marketing to push false crypto promises. The IcomTech case now stands as a clear warning that such schemes carry severe criminal consequences.
