TL;DR
- Venezuelan police arrested Rosa María González, a woman from Argentina who is a key suspect in the Generación Zoe crypto fraud.
- Leonardo Cositorto, leader of Generación Zoe, stated that González fled with 611 Bitcoin, equivalent to $56 million, and accused her of planning a new fraud from Venezuela.
- Diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela complicate González’s extradition process. Interpol authorities warned that her return will not be straightforward.
Venezuelan police arrested Rosa María González, a key suspect in the Generación Zoe crypto scam, in San Cristóbal, Táchira state. The arrest occurred nearly four years after the scheme collapsed, leaving at least $120 million in losses for tens of thousands of investors in Argentina. González was apprehended while allegedly planning a new fraudulent project in Venezuela.
Leonardo Cositorto, leader of Generación Zoe, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Argentina in 2025. Reports indicate that Cositorto stated González fled with 611 Bitcoin, worth $56 million after the collapse of the scam. During the scheme’s operation, the organizers offered returns of up to 7.5% on investments. The operation was presented as an automated trading system backed by a gold-linked crypto asset. Subsequent investigations determined that Generación Zoe functioned as a Ponzi scheme, paying older investors with funds from new participants.
González Planning a New Scam
González reportedly introduced Cositorto to trading algorithms she had developed, claiming “quantum security” features and promised returns of up to 70% per month. The suspect evaded arrest in Buenos Aires by using private security firms and relocated to Venezuela, where she continued coordinating with other Generación Zoe associates. Reports indicate she sent funds to an individual so they could leave their job and dedicate themselves to the new project, which promised 5% monthly returns to investors contributing at least $1,000 in cryptocurrency.
González’s repatriation faces complications due to diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela. Relations between the two countries deteriorated in July 2024 following Venezuelan elections deemed “fraudulent” by the Argentine government. Interpol authorities indicated that the extradition will not be a simple process.
Generación Zoe: Argentina’s Largest Crypto Scam
Generación Zoe used trading technology and promises of high returns to attract investments. After the scheme collapsed, the organizers faced multiple legal cases in Argentina. González’s arrest comes a year after Cositorto was jailed and shows that the fraudsters intended to continue operations.
This case represents one of Argentina’s largest crypto frauds, caused millions in losses for investors, and triggered a wave of active legal procedures to recover funds. The investigation into González will continue under coordination with local and international authorities
