How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?

Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?

Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?

The details were provided in a report released last week as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings against Aiden Pleterski. The 25-year-old Oshawa resident is also facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme in which investors reported losing north of $40 million.

Despite the ongoing proceedings, Pleterski has continued to boast a life of luxury on social media for months leading up to his May arrest, sharing content of himself wandering the streets of London and top golfing with friends in Miami.

As part of the fraud and money laundering charges laid on him earlier this month, Pleterski must remain at his parents home in Oshawa, putting an end to the jetsetting. 

But how Pleterski, whose bank accounts were seized in 2022, paid for these trips has remained a question for many, including the investors seeking to recoup the more than $40 million.

According to the report, the answer to Pleterski’s lavish lifestyle lies in part in “undisclosed assets” – in this case, largely Scene+ points.

The Scene+ program, owned by Scotiabank, Cineplex, and Empire, is a Canadian loyalty program that offers users points in exchange for transactions using a Scene+ card, explained Barry Choi, a Toronto-based travel and money expert.