Crypto news report · source clearly identified
Las Vegas Man Convicted in $24 Million AI Crypto‑Mining Ponzi Scheme
Brent Kovar was found guilty of defrauding more than 400 investors by claiming a supercomputer mined cryptocurrency for them and that their funds were FDIC‑insured.

A Nevada jury convicted Brent Kovar of operating a $24 million Ponzi scheme that promised investors returns from an artificial‑intelligence‑driven cryptocurrency mining operation.
False Promises of a Supercomputer
Kovar told at least 400 investors that a proprietary supercomputer was mining cryptocurrency on their behalf. He further claimed that the investors’ money was protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), a claim that was later proven false.
Legal Outcome
The jury’s verdict found Kovar guilty of fraud and related charges tied to the alleged AI crypto‑mining venture. The case highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of deceptive crypto‑investment schemes.
Impact on Investors
Victims collectively lost an estimated $24 million, underscoring the risks associated with unverified crypto‑mining promises and the importance of due diligence.
Source & attribution
News Source
- Publisher
- Decrypt
- Original date
- August 25, 2026, 10:50 AM
- Original headline
- Jury Convicts Las Vegas Man of $24M AI Crypto Mining Ponzi Scheme