North Macedonia Citizens Charged in 'Trump Bucks' Scam Targeting Americans
Quick Look
- Two North Macedonian citizens, Goran Spiridonov and Kristina Janeva, have been charged in the US for a scheme selling fraudulent 'Trump Bucks' and other fake products.
- Prosecutors allege they scammed Americans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming affiliation with President Trump and his organization.
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Why It Matters
Two citizens of North Macedonia have been charged in the U.S. for allegedly running a scam selling fake 'Trump Bucks' and other products. The scheme targeted Americans, particularly the elderly, by falsely claiming affiliation with President Trump and his organization, promising redemption during a potential Trump presidency.
Two citizens of North Macedonia have been charged in connection with a massive scheme to sell fraudulent “Trump Bucks” to Americans.
Prosecutors said Goran Spiridonov and Kristina Janeva scammed Americans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling “Trump Bucks” and other fake products they falsely claimed were connected to the president, his family and the Trump Organization.
Spiridonov, 25, and Janeva, 39, were charged last week and remain at large, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
These fake products, including “Trump Bucks” and “Trump Rebate Banking,” have been advertised on Telegram, according to an FBI scam alert. The scam often targeted elderly Americans, “taking advantage of their support for the President,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement.
Spiridonov and Janeva falsely claimed these products came “preloaded with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash that would be redeemable at banks during a Trump presidency,” and that the proceeds would help support causes tied to the president, including his reelection campaign, prosecutors alleged.
Prosecutors said these statements were “all lies,” adding that the products are “worthless” and have “no affiliation at all with President Trump, his family members, or members of his administration.”
“As alleged, the defendants created a fictitious financial instrument and marketed it to Americans around the country under the false pretense that ‘Trump Bucks’ was affiliated with the funding of President Trump’s re-election campaign and other causes associated with the President and the Trump Organization,” Clayton said in a statement.
“That cannot be further from the truth. ‘Trump Bucks’ has no connection to the President, the campaign, or the Trump Organization,” he added.
“‘Trump Bucks’ products are worthless; are not redeemable at any bank; and have no affiliation at all with President Trump, his family members, or members of his administration,” the statements from U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York added.
Spirodonov and Janeva have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they could face more than 20 years in prison.
"We are incredibly grateful for the hard work of the SDNY, investigators, and law enforcement officials who helped bring this scam to light and are working to ensure justice is served,” a Trump Organization spokesperson told The Independent.
Officials have warned the scam may be ongoing, and that Americans should remain vigilant.
“Importantly, this conduct may be ongoing, and we strongly urge anyone targeted not to provide financial information or funds to any entity related to ‘Trump Bucks’ or the fictitious products pictured in this press release,” Clayton said.
When reached for comment, the White House referred The Independent to the Justice Department and the Trump Organization.
Open Questions
- Where are Goran Spiridonov and Kristina Janeva currently located?
- What is the total amount of money scammed from victims?
- Are there other individuals involved in this scheme?
- How many victims have been identified?
