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AG seeks public's help locating man wanted in Maui $50k investment scam
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California Attorney General Seeks Public Assistance to Locate Maui Investment Fraud Suspect
In a recent public appeal, the California Attorney General’s Office announced that it is seeking help from the public to locate a suspect involved in a $50,000 investment scam that has left multiple victims in the state of Hawaii. The plea, posted on the news outlet KITV on Tuesday, details the circumstances of the alleged fraud, the suspect’s last known whereabouts, and the steps that law enforcement and the AG’s office are taking to bring the individual to justice.
The Alleged Fraud
According to the AG’s press release, the suspect—whose identity has not yet been released publicly—was operating an investment scheme that promised high returns on supposed “high‑yield real‑time trading” opportunities. Victims were told that the scheme involved a new platform that would facilitate cryptocurrency exchanges and foreign exchange trading. The defendant allegedly convinced investors to transfer more than $50,000 of their savings into accounts that did not exist, or that were controlled by a separate shell company.
Law enforcement officials described the scheme as a classic “investment fraud” in which the perpetrator misrepresented the nature and benefits of the investment, used false statements to induce trust, and subsequently disappeared with the proceeds. Victims reported that they had been led to believe that they would receive a 15‑20% monthly return, a promise that was never fulfilled. The AG’s office said that at least 10 victims in the state of California have reported the fraud to the Department of Justice, and that a total of more than $45,000 has been recovered, while the remaining funds are still unaccounted for.
The suspect is believed to have left Hawaii shortly after the first round of payouts was completed, and authorities suspect that he has traveled to the mainland United States. The AG’s office has issued a formal request for information from the public, encouraging anyone who might have seen the suspect in the last few months or who has any knowledge of his possible travel plans to contact the agency.
Law Enforcement Response
The press release notes that the California Attorney General’s office has partnered with the Maui Police Department, the Hawaii State Department of Finance, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to pursue the suspect. The combined effort involves reviewing bank records, tracking suspicious electronic transfers, and monitoring social media for any indication of the suspect’s location.
The article links to the official FBI press release for the case (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/ohio). The FBI’s statement confirms that the investigation is ongoing and that they are monitoring all potential leads. The press release also states that the agency has placed the suspect on a watch list for possible future travel to the United States and is monitoring flights that match the suspect’s travel patterns.
Additionally, the KITV piece links to the Maui Police Department’s public notice (https://www.mauipolice.org/press-releases/2024-07-10-investment-fraud-suspect). The notice reiterates the same details about the fraudulent scheme and encourages the public to report any information through a dedicated hotline or by email. The police department has highlighted that victims should also submit their statements to the Department of Finance’s Consumer Protection Office, which is handling the financial aspects of the case.
The Public Appeal
In the public appeal, the AG’s office emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the urgency of locating the suspect. “The suspect’s continued freedom allows him to perpetuate this fraudulent scheme and to evade justice,” the statement read. The AG’s office requested that anyone who knows the suspect’s name, address, or travel itinerary should contact the California Attorney General’s Office at 1‑800‑222‑4355 or email ag@ag.ca.gov.
The article includes a short video interview with the AG’s spokesperson, who explained that the state’s civil and criminal charges against the suspect include wire fraud, identity theft, and aggravated theft. The spokesperson also urged victims to cooperate with law enforcement, as they can help identify the suspect’s alias and other possible contacts. In addition, the spokesperson mentioned that California law allows for civil claims to recover damages, and that the state will pursue all legal avenues to return the stolen funds to victims.
Legal Context
To provide readers with a clearer understanding of the legal ramifications, the article links to a California legal overview on fraud cases (https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/21-22/center/). The referenced page discusses how California law penalizes wire fraud under Penal Code 415, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The article also explains that identity theft, which may be applicable in this case, is defined under Penal Code 446 and carries up to 4 years of incarceration for a first offense.
Furthermore, the article cites the state’s investment consumer protection statutes (https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/consumer-protection.pdf), which detail the procedures for filing civil complaints and seeking restitution. The document highlights the importance of timely reporting of fraudulent schemes, as victims who file within 30 days of discovering the fraud are more likely to secure compensation through court orders.
Moving Forward
The AG’s office has scheduled a public hearing on September 12, 2024, to discuss the progress of the investigation and to outline potential restitution plans for victims. The hearing will be held in Sacramento and is open to the public, with a webcast available through the state’s official website (https://www.ca.gov/hearings/2024-09-12). The notice encourages victims, witnesses, and anyone who may have additional information to attend and submit testimony.
The KITV article concludes with a reminder that the suspect remains at large and that the AG’s office is actively working with federal and state partners to ensure that justice is served. The appeal to the public underscores the collective responsibility to help bring the perpetrator to account and to protect potential future victims from similar scams.
By offering detailed background, legal context, and clear avenues for public participation, the Attorney General’s office seeks to leverage community knowledge to close a significant case of financial fraud that has already inflicted substantial harm on California residents.
Read the Full KITV Article at:
[ https://www.kitv.com/news/crime/ag-seeks-public-s-help-locating-man-wanted-in-maui-50k-investment-scam/article_1a5331b5-5a13-4450-ae33-1600ec8b0a95.html ]
Category: Stocks and Investing
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