Crypto Founder Behind ‘Ponzi’ Metaverse Linked to Illegal Drug Bust
A Guardian investigation has uncovered proof linking Northampton-based crypto entrepreneur Fasial Tariq to what authorities described because the world’s largest unlawful weight-loss drug operation.
The revelation comes amid a worldwide surge in crypto-related crime, prompting coordinated crackdowns from legislation enforcement businesses.
In late October, enforcement officers raided a red-brick industrial unit in Northampton, seizing 1000’s of unlicensed Alluvi-branded weight-loss pens, uncooked chemical components, manufacturing tools, and £20,000 in money.
According to the Guardian, some pens contained retatrutide, a strong GLP-1 agonist nonetheless in medical trials and unapproved for medical use.
Despite the dimensions, no arrests have been made, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has not publicly recognized who ran the scheme.
Crypto Venture Trails Lead to Drug Operation
Documents reviewed by The Guardian join the raided unit to Wholesale Supplements Limited, the place Tariq serves as director.
Customer order images recommend Alluvi merchandise had been offered by Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv, a web site that later misplaced fee processing after Stripe terminated providers.
Companies House information present Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv Limited beforehand shared an deal with with Vantage Commercials Group Limited, an organization Tariq as soon as operated.
The buying and selling title on the backside of Nutri Collectiv’s web site redirects to Paradox Labs, beforehand referred to as Paradox Studio, a crypto enterprise based by Tariq.
Paradox launched Paradox Coin and Paradox Metaverse, a play-to-earn blockchain sport that drew accusations of a scam from on-line critics and investigators.
Crypto investigator Stephen Findeisen, referred to as Coffeezilla, publicly challenged Tariq and his brother in a YouTube interview, questioning the venture’s economics and promotional claims. Tariq denied advertising a get-rich-quick scheme.
Social media footage linked to Alluvi reveals a particular bright-green Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, whereas native residents reported that luxurious vehicles, together with a Rolls-Royce, had been often parked exterior the raided unit.
Tariq’s former firm, Onyx, specialised in high-end automobile rental and chauffeur providers.
His driving file features a 2018 incident by which he was fined £1,185 and banned from driving for 12 months after failing to determine a BMW driver who overtook a Ferrari touring at over 135mph.
He had regained his license days earlier following convictions for drink-driving and driving whereas disqualified.
Crypto Crime Networks Face Global Enforcement Pressure
One supply with inside data of the unlawful weight-loss drug commerce described these behind Alluvi as “nasty” operators who “made noise from day one.”
The sample mirrors broader felony exploitation of crypto infrastructure. In November, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office arrested two men linked to the $28 million Basis Markets collapse, a hedge fund that vanished in 2022 after diverting funds to the founders’ wallets.
The UK SFO made its first main crypto enforcement transfer by arresting two males linked to the $28M Basis Markets collapse.#UK #Cryptohttps://t.co/paiHemobLm
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 21, 2025
The crackdown extends past crypto ventures into conventional operations utilizing digital property. Three UK men received 27 years combined for working a darkish net drug operation utilizing cryptocurrency.
Similarly, in November, South Australia Police filed 800 charges and made 55 arrests in a crypto-linked ring, seizing $37.9 million utilizing FBI proof.
Dr. Piotr Ozieranski instructed The Guardian that complaint-led regulation strikes too slowly. “At current, it typically feels that the worst that may occur is a slap on the wrist,” he mentioned. “Meanwhile, the general public stays uncovered to critical hurt.”
Medical consultants warn that retatrutide has not accomplished medical trials, whereas unregulated injectable medication could also be contaminated, incorrectly dosed, or improperly sterilized. Potential penalties embrace extreme infections, pancreatitis, and harmful blood-sugar fluctuations.
Despite the severity, the MHRA confirmed no arrests have been made and declined to touch upon Tariq, citing ongoing inquiries.
The Alluvi web site stays dwell, claiming merchandise are unavailable due to “big demand” over the Christmas interval. Its Telegram channel continues attracting 1000’s of members who seem to place every day orders, with rumors suggesting manufacturing has shifted places following the raid.
To battle the rising crypto cash laundering pushed by scams, medication, and human trafficking, Tether, the issuer of USDT, has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen cybersecurity and fight digital property.
Recent enforcement actions additionally embrace federal prosecutors charging a Chicago crypto ATM founder with a money-laundering conspiracy that moved $10 million by kiosks, whereas the Treasury additionally not too long ago sanctioned 19 entities for crypto scams that defrauded Americans of $10 billion in 2024.
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