- Ford raised $9.4M with false high-return claims, drawing in nearly 2,800 investors.
- He admitted the returns were impossible and diverted funds for personal use.
- Ford received 5 years in prison plus over $1M forfeiture and $170K restitution.
Federal authorities have handed down a five-year prison sentence to Travis Ford, Wolf Capital CEO, after he admitted to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that drew in nearly 3,000 people.
The ruling, delivered this week by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), concludes a case that centered on false promises of high-frequency trading profits and the misuse of investor funds routed through Wolf Capital Crypto Trading LLC.
False Profit Claims and Investor Solicitation
Court filings show that Ford, 36, served as CEO, co-founder, and lead trader of Wolf Capital CEO, which raised approximately $9.4 million between January 2023 and August 2023. During that period, Ford promoted the company through online channels, presenting himself as a skilled cryptocurrency trader capable of producing daily returns of 1% to 2%, equal to roughly 547% projected annual gains.
As part of his plea agreement, Ford, Wolf Capital CEO, acknowledged that he did not believe the advertised returns were achievable on a consistent basis. Prosecutors stated that the promises were crafted to persuade members of the public to invest funds in the firm, which ultimately drew in approximately 2,800 investors seeking rapid gains in the digital asset market.
Diversion of Funds and Criminal Charges
According to the DOJ, Ford and unnamed co-conspirators diverted large portions of investor deposits rather than deploying them toward legitimate trading activity. The misappropriated funds were instead used for their personal benefit, resulting in significant financial losses for investors.
Ford entered a guilty plea in January 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting his role in the fraudulent operation. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which reviewed financial records, promotional material, and internal activity linked to Wolf Capital’s operations.
Financial Penalties Accompany Prison Sentence
In addition to the 60-month prison term, the Wolf Capital CEO was ordered to pay more than $1 million in forfeiture and over $170,000 in restitution to victims. The restitution figure reflects amounts tied directly to quantifiable investor losses identified during the investigation.
The sentencing was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney Matthew R. Galeotti and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS Criminal Investigations Group. Authorities noted that the investigation remains ongoing as USPIS continues to examine elements of the scheme.
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About the Author: Peter Mwangi
