Lawsuit Alleges Cryptocurrency Investment Advisor Defrauded Puerto Rico Physician of $190,000

On Monday, March 4, 2024, Robert Zayas, a physician from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, filed a lawsuit against Gregory Steven Harduk, a resident of Victor, New York, for fraud and breach of contract relating to cryptocurrency investments and website development services.

According to the complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Zayas met Harduk in April 2021 when he was looking to develop a medical website and explore cryptocurrency investments. Harduk represented himself as a highly experienced website developer and cryptocurrency investment advisor. Zayas agreed to invest $10,000 with Harduk for cryptocurrency portfolio management and paid him $15,000 to develop the website.

However, Zayas alleges that Harduk did not have the qualifications or experience that he claimed. Over the next several months, Harduk purportedly failed to provide any website development work or compliance reports on the status of the cryptocurrency portfolio as agreed upon in their contract. Zayas further claims that without his knowledge or consent, Harduk engaged in high risk cryptocurrency transactions that resulted in losses of his funds.

By November 2021, Zayas’ cryptocurrency investments managed by Harduk had grown to around $175,000, including additional funds provided by Zayas based on misrepresentations by Harduk relating to investment returns. However, in February 2022 when Zayas asked for the return of his funds, Harduk refused and told him not to contact him further. Zayas also alleges that Harduk erased the unfinished medical website for which he had been paid without providing access or login credentials.

The lawsuit asserts five causes of action against Harduk including breach of contract, fraud, negligence, unjust enrichment, and violations of US securities laws. It seeks compensatory damages for the losses suffered by Zayas in excess of $190,000 relating to the cryptocurrency investments and website development deal.

Please contact BlockTribune for access to a copy of this filing.