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Home News OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud - Amer Abdulaziz Salman, sentenced to 15 months in prison
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OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud - Amer Abdulaziz Salman, sentenced to 15 months in prison

15/08/2025

Amer Abdulaziz Salman, the founder and CEO of Phoenix Thoroughbreds, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison in the United States for conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud, one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history.

đź’¸ Connection to OneCoin

  • Abdulaziz was named in a U.S. court in 2019 as a money launderer for OneCoin, the $4 billion crypto scam led by Dr. Ruja Ignatova, also known as the CryptoQueen, who disappeared in 2017 and remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
  • More than €185 million was allegedly transferred from OneCoin-affiliated accounts to Abdulaziz-controlled accounts.

🧾 Key Details:

  • Sentencing: Abdulaziz was sentenced by Judge Edgardo Ramos in the Southern District of New York.
  • Prison: He is currently incarcerated at Loretto Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security facility in Pennsylvania, since July 11, 2025, with a scheduled release date of October 20, 2026.

🏇 Phoenix Thoroughbreds

  • The racing operation made headlines in 2017 for its lavish spending, claiming to be backed by the “world’s first regulated fund” for thoroughbreds—though this fund was later revealed to be non-existent.
  • Phoenix Thoroughbreds was banned from racing in Britain, Dubai, and France due to concerns over the source of its funding.
  • Horses under its banner included Advertise, Gronkowski, and Dream Tree, with notable wins at Royal Ascot and other significant venues.

🗣️ Statement from Phoenix Thoroughbreds

  • The organisation defended Abdulaziz, stating he acted “with integrity and honour” once the fraudulent activities of his business partners were revealed. They emphasised his cooperation with U.S. authorities and his acceptance of responsibility for the harm caused.

References

Phoenix Thoroughbreds Founder And Chief Executive Abdulaziz ... - TDN https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/phoenix-thoroughbreds-founder-and-chief-executive-abdulaziz-jailed-in-u-s/

 Phoenix Thoroughbreds founder jailed for conspiracy to commit money ... www.racingpost.com/news/international/phoenix-thoroughbreds-founder-jailed-for-conspiracy-to-commit-money-laundering-a4rUF9W2ySGa/

FRAUD CRYPTO MONEY LAUNDERING

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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.  

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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com. Â