John McAfee Said to Be Jailed in Spain Over US Tax Fraud

The McAfee software founder was detained on Saturday when about to board a flight to Istanbul with a British passport, a Spanish police source said.

By Reuters | Updated: 6 October 2020 15:58 IST

John McAfee Said to Be Jailed in Spain Over US Tax Fraud

John McAfee, founder of McAfee Antivirus, speaks during an interview in Havana, Cuba, July 4, 2019

Highlights

McAfee was presented to a high court judge through a video call
He was sent to prison without bail where he'll await extradition process
McAfee's official Instagram account posted a "Free McAfee" message

John McAfee, an antivirus software creator indicted for fraud in the United States, was in a Spanish jail on Tuesday pending extradition procedures after being arrested in Barcelona airport at the weekend, sources said.

The McAfee software founder was detained on Saturday when about to board a flight to Istanbul with a British passport, a Spanish police source said.

A judicial source said McAfee was then presented to a high court judge through a video call and sent to prison without bail where he will await the extradition process.

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A third source, from the Catalonia region's justice department, said he was in the Brians 1 jail, which opened in 1991 in an industrial area 45 minutes by car from Barcelona. Some local politicians have been jailed there for corruption.

After he was arrested, McAfee's official Instagram account posted a "Free McAfee" message with a photo of him. The person running the account did not return a message seeking comment.

No other representatives were immediately contactable.

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McAfee's wife Janice McAfee, in a Twitter post on Tuesday afternoon, said her husband was in "good spirits" and wanted to thank his supporters.

"Since we left the United States, it has meant the world to both of us knowing that there are still believers in freedom all over the world," her statement read.

"Regardless of what John may or may not have done, he has spent most of his retirement fighting not only for his own freedom, but everyone's freedom."

My statement on John's detainment. pic.twitter.com/VU0WpUGp6R
— Janice McAfee (@theemrsmcafee) October 6, 2020

US federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment on Monday against McAfee over charges that he evaded taxes and wilfully failed to file returns.

That came shortly after the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed it had brought civil charges against McAfee, alleging he made over $23.1 million (roughly Rs. 169 crores) in undisclosed compensation from false and misleading cryptocurrency recommendations.

He is alleged to have earned millions in income from promoting cryptocurrencies, as well as through consulting work, speaking engagements, and selling the rights to his life story for a documentary.

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