A United States citizen facing federal charges linked to an alleged 165-million-dollar Ponzi scheme has been deported from Fiji to the United States.

Edward Zimbardi was deported on August 14 following cooperation between Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration, the Fiji Police Force, and several U.S. agencies.

These included the U.S. Embassy Suva’s Diplomatic Security Service, the United States Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

U.S. authorities allege that Zimbardi faces federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a Ponzi scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of victims and involved more than 165 million U.S. dollars.

The deportation follows a years-long investigation involving U.S. and international authorities.

The U.S. Embassy in Suva has commended Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration and the Fiji Police Force for what it described as their speed and proficiency in handling the case.
Zimbardi will now return to the United States to face the federal charges against him.