John McAfee Flees U.S. for Alleged Crypto Tax Fraud

U.S. presidential candidate John McAfee announced on Tuesday that he has fled the country. According to McAfee’s recent Twitter video he’s “living in exile” on a boat because he’s been charged with felonies handed down by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Also Read: Former Mt Gox CEO Reflects on Incarceration in Japan While Facing More Prison Time

Crypto Figurehead John McAfee Is on the Run

The former antivirus tycoon and cryptocurrency advocate John McAfee says he’s got problems with the U.S. tax agency the IRS. McAfee recently explained in a video that he was charged for “using cryptocurrencies in criminal acts” by Tennessee court officials. McAfee also detailed that four members of his 2020 presidential campaign have also been charged with “unspecified charges of a felonious nature” and his wife as well. “I have not paid taxes for eight years and I have made no secret of it,” McAfee emphasized while sitting on a rocking boat.

“They want to silence me and I will not allow that,” McAfee continued. “I am running my campaign in exile on this boat for the duration — I will not allow them to imprison me and shut my voice down, which they will do immediately — Why? I am a flight risk. Obviously, I am in flight,” McAfee remarked.

Today, crypto community, we are at war, and I am on the frontlines.

McAfee’s Recent Anti-Taxation Statements May Have Made Him a Target

The infamous cryptocurrency proponent has been known for being brutally honest and makes statements about digital currencies nearly every day. McAfee’s video also refers to prior statements concerning taxation such as the first week of January when he told his 890,000 Twitter followers that he refuses to pay taxes to the government. The candidate also said he was a prime target for the IRS and seemingly dared the agency to come after him by saying “here I am.” McAfee further stated that taxation is illegal and he’s “paid tens of millions already and received jack shit in services.”

“I’m done making money and I live off of cash from McAfee Incorporated — My net income is negative,” McAfee detailed.

The tweet storm continued:

I’m challenging the agency responsible for fueling our Government’s madness — the IRS. The IRS will not sit idly by. I know this. But I have prepared my entire life for this battle.

In the video published on Jan. 22, McAfee said he will continue to be on the run on his boat and he plans to release campaign videos every day while in exile. He says as long as he’s on the run he cannot be officially charged by the tax agency. In another tweet that followed the first announcement, McAfee explained his situation a touch further and said: “Today a grand jury was convened by the IRS to indict Janice and myself and four various unnamed campaign workers for various tax fraud issues.” McAfee again told his fans that digital currencies and specifically privacy-enhanced coins will circumvent the state.

“Every so often and very rarely a clash of old and new cultures brought about by technology changes civilization,” McAfee concluded. “Cryptocurrencies is one of these technologies and probably the most dramatic to have occurred in human history since the invention of fire — Because cryptocurrencies free the individual from the yoke of currency controlled by governments.”

Governments will not be able to collect taxes when everyone is using privacy coins.

It seems from prior statements and photos on Twitter earlier this week that McAfee may be on his way to Venezuela. However, McAfee will not reveal his geographic location and intends on staying on the boat for “two years.” The businessman believes he can obtain enough fuel and has the fishing skills to stick it out for quite some time on the run.

What do you think about John McAfee claiming to be in exile on a boat due to unpaid taxes? Let us know in the comments section below.

Image credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, and Twitter.

Want to create your own secure cold storage paper wallet? Check our tools section.