Barbados

U.S. courts authorize IRS to issue ‘John Doe’ summonses to identify Trident Trust Group clients suspected of U.S. tax evasion

December 24, 2024

United States federal courts in New York and South Dakota have entered orders authorizing the IRS to serve 'John Doe' summonses on 14 entities in an attempt to identify clients of corporate services provider Trident Trust Group who are suspected of evading U.S. taxes, while a third court in Georgia has yet to rule on a similar petition.

USA v. FedEx et al: Order Granting Petition to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses (‘Tax Evasion Investigation Into Clients of Trident Trust Group’)

December 23, 2024

Order Granting Ex Parte Petition by the IRS for Leave to Serve 'John Doe' Summonses on FedEx Corporation, DHL Express (USA), Inc., United Parcel Service, Inc., the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Clearing House Payments Company LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Citibank, National Association, UBS AG, Bank of America, National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, and Nevis Services Limited as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion by clients of Trident Trust Group, filed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

1MDB liquidators file second BVI lawsuit against Amicorp & CEO Toine Knipping, seek $1B+ for ‘knowing participation in fraud’

December 23, 2024

The liquidators of former Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB have filed a second lawsuit in the British Virgin Islands against Hong Kong-based corporate services provider Amicorp Group and its Dubai-based CEO, Toine Knipping, this one seeking damages in excess of $1 billion for alleged "knowing participation" in a multi-billion dollar fraud. Amicorp issued a statement that it "strongly denies the allegations".

‘1MDB liquidators file $1B+ BVI lawsuit against Amicorp & CEO Toine Knipping for alleged fraudulent trading’ (Plaintiffs’ Press Release)

December 23, 2024

Press Release headlined "1MDB launches claim against Amicorp Group for facilitating over $7 billion in fraudulent transactions", issued on behalf of the plaintiffs by Bryan Wang, of Byfield Consultancy. OffshoreAlert has been told that this action is an addition to a prior claim alleging dishonest assistance that was filed against Amicorp parties at the same court on June 23rd, 2024 and which, according to Byfield Consultancy, is still active.

USA v. Trident Trust Company (South Dakota) Inc.: USA’s Motion to Unseal All Documents (‘Tax Evasion Investigation Into Clients of Trident Trust Group’)

December 20, 2024

USA's Motion to Unseal All Documents in Ex Parte Petition by the IRS for Leave to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses on Trident Trust Company (South Dakota) Inc. as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion by clients of Trident Trust Group, filed at the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.

Aabar Investments PJS Ltd. et al v. Amicorp B.V.I. Ltd. et al: Claim Form (‘Knowing Participation in $7.65B 1MDB Fraud’)

December 20, 2024

Claim Form alleging the respondents "knowingly participated" in an alleged $7.65 billion fraud committed by their clients against "a now-insolvent Malaysian sovereign wealth fund" known as 1MDB in Angela Barkhouse and Toni Skukla, as Joint Liquidators of Aabar Investments PJS Limited, SRC International (Malaysia) Limited, and Brazen Sky Limited v. Amicorp B.V.I. Limited, of the British Virgin Islands; Amicorp Management Limited, of the British Virgin Islands; Artemas Wealth Management (Barbados) Ltd., formerly known as Amergeris Wealth Management (Barbados) Ltd., of Barbados; Amicorp Fund Services N.V., of Curaçao; Amicorp Singapore PTE. Ltd., of Singapore; Amicorp Hong Kong Limited, of Hong Kong; Amicorp Limited, of Hong Kong; Amicorp Bank and Trust Limited, of Barbados, and Antonius Rudolphus Wilhelmus Knipping, a.k.a. Toine Knipping, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

USA v. Trident Trust Company (South Dakota) Inc.: Court Docket (‘Tax Evasion Investigation Into Clients of Trident Trust Group’)

December 17, 2024

Court Docket for a sealed Ex Parte Petition by the IRS for Leave to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses on Trident Trust Company (South Dakota) Inc. as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion by clients of Trident Trust Group, filed at the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.

USA v. Trident Corporate Services, Inc. et al: Petition to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses (‘Tax Evasion Investigation Into Clients of Trident Trust Group’)

December 17, 2024

Ex Parte Petition by the IRS for Leave to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses on TT (USA) Holdings, Inc., Trident Corporate Services, Inc., and Trident Fund Services, Inc. as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion by clients of Trident Trust Group, filed at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

USA v. FedEx et al: Petition to Serve ‘John Doe’ Summonses (‘Tax Evasion Investigation Into Clients of Trident Trust Group’)

December 17, 2024

Ex Parte Petition by the IRS for Leave to Serve 'John Doe' Summonses on FedEx Corporation, DHL Express (USA), Inc., United Parcel Service, Inc., the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Clearing House Payments Company LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Citibank, National Association, UBS AG, Bank of America, National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, and Nevis Services Limited as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion by clients of Trident Trust Group, filed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

IRS files ‘John Doe summons’ petitions to identify Trident Trust Group clients suspected of U.S. tax evasion

December 17, 2024

In an attempt to identify clients of international corporate services provider Trident Trust Group who are suspected of evading U.S. taxes, the IRS has applied to federal courts in New York, Georgia, and South Dakota for permission to serve 'John Doe Summonses' on courier services, financial institutions, correspondent banks, and Trident Trust Group itself.

1MDB liquidators sue Amicorp Group & CEO Toine Knipping in BVI for ‘dishonest assistance to $7B fraud’

July 16, 2024

Hong Kong-based corporate services provider Amicorp Group's operations in Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Hong Kong, and Singapore and its Dubai-based CEO, Toine Knipping, are being sued in the BVI for allegedly helping to launder some of the $7 billion that was misappropriated from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

Global Diversified Investment Company Ltd. et al v. Amicorp B.V.I. Ltd. et al: Claim Form (‘1MDB Dishonest Assistance’)

June 23, 2024

Claim Form in Global Diversified Investment Company Limited, formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Limited; Aabar Investments PJS Limited (in Liquidation), SRC International (Malaysia) Limited (in Liquidation), and Brazen Sky Limited (in Liquidation) v. Amicorp B.V.I. Limited, of the British Virgin Islands; Amicorp Management Limited, of the British Virgin Islands; Artemas Wealth Management (Barbados) Ltd., formerly known as Amergeris Wealth Management (Barbados) Ltd., of Barbados; Amicorp Fund Services N.V., of Curaçao; Amicorp Singapore Pte. Ltd., of Singapore; Amicorp Hong Kong Limited, of Hong Kong; Amicorp Limited, of Hong Kong; Amicorp Bank and Trust Limited, of Barbados, and Antonius Rudolphus Wilhelmus Knipping, a.k.a. Toine Knipping, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Peder Berggren v. BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs: Restoration Application (Laudan Ltd.)

June 4, 2024

Fixed Date Claim Form regarding Laudan Limited in Peder Gustav Berggren, of Barbados v. The Registrar of Corporate Affairs at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Graeme Muir v. BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs: Restoration Application (Consilium Capital Ltd.)

May 30, 2024

Fixed Date Claim Form regarding Consilium Capital Ltd., which "holds shares in Roystonea Ltd., which holds freehold property in Brubados, namely. Black Bess Plantation, St. Peter & SL James parish, Barbados with an approximate $26,000,000 market value of the unimproved property in 2016", in Graeme William Muir v. The Registrar of Corporate Affairs at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

BC Insurance SA v. Redbridge Insurance Company Ltd.: Complaint (‘$435K Breach of Contract’)

May 2, 2024

Complaint in BC Insurance SA, of Switzerland, on its own behalf and as placing brokers and agents for Eurobulk Ltd. v. Redbridge Insurance Company Ltd., of Barbados, at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Ital Brokers S.p.A. v. Redbridge Insurance Company Ltd.: Complaint (‘$2.7M Breach of Contract’)

April 26, 2024

Complaint in Ital Brokers S.p.A., of Genoa, Italy v. Redbridge Insurance Company Ltd., of Barbados, at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

BDT Investments, Inc. v. Villamorey, S.A. et al: Notice of Removal (‘$12M Fraud’)

April 24, 2024

Defendant Banco Santander International's Notice of Removal, including a copy of the complaint, in BDT Investments, Inc., of Barbados v. Villamorey, S.A., of Panama, and Banco Santander International at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, USA.

John Layfield Holden et al v. BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs: Restoration Application (Youngstown Invest Ltd.)

April 23, 2024

Fixed Date Claim Form regarding Youngstown Invest Limited, which "was formed for the purposes of holding shares in Briarden Inc. a company incorporated under the laws of Barbados" in John Layfield Holden, Edward Ian Tordoff, and John Cornel Tordoff, all of England v. the Registrar of Corporate Affairs at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Roderick Wood v. BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs: Restoration Application (Shatilla Holdings Ltd.)

April 10, 2024

Fixed Date Claim Form regarding Shatilla Holdings Ltd. in Roderick Michael Haydn Wood, of Barbados v The Registrar of Corporate Affairs at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Rose Financial LP et al v. Amicorp (BVI) Trustees Ltd. et al: Claim Form (‘Dishonest Assistance’)

March 7, 2024

Claim Form alleging "dishonest assistance of the breaches of Mr Fernando Haberer" in Rose Financial Limited Partnership, Silesia Limited Partnership, Clodi Holdings Limited, and Rado Limited Partnership v. Amicorp (BVI) Trustees Limited, Amicorp (Barbados) Limited, Amicorp Curaçao B.V., Amicorp Management Limited, Amicorp Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM, E.N.R., Amicorp New Zealand Limited, Amicorp Trustees (New Zealand) Limited, SGG Management (BVI) Ltd., and IQ EQ Management (Curaçao) N.V., formerly known as SGG Management (Curaçao) N.V. at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

IMAX China Holding Inc.: ‘Scheme of Arrangement’ Petition

August 22, 2023

Petition for the Court's Sanction of a Scheme of Arrangement in the matter of IMAX China Holding Inc. at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd. v. Occidental Exploration and Production Company: Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award

August 8, 2023

Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award in Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd., a Barbados company based in Ecuador v. Occidental Exploration and Production Company at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

SEC v. Christopher Slaga et al: Complaint (‘$3.5M Securities Fraud’)

August 7, 2023

Complaint regarding "Defendants’ scheme that raised approximately $3.5 million from at least 17 investors through a fraudulent and unregistered securities offering" in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Christopher Slaga, a.k.a. Keith Renko, described as a resident of Barbados; Q4 Capital Group LLC, J4 Capital Advisors LLC, and Hayden Greene at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Sasuga Ventures Ltd. et al v. Silicon Valley Bank (Cayman Islands Branch): Winding Up Judgment

July 21, 2023

Judgment granting winding up petition in Sasuga Ventures Limited, of Barbados; Treasure Stream Holdings Limited, of the British Virgin Islands, and SVB Claims Limited, of the Cayman Islands v. Silicon Valley Bank (Cayman Islands Branch) at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

TBB International Bank Corp. v. Jose Febres et al: Complaint (‘Loans and Credit Fraud’)

June 12, 2023

Complaint alleging "scheme to deceive Activo International Bank, Inc. at present known as TBB of millions of dollars in the form of depleting assets of the Bank through several loans which were approved in violation of federal and state bank regulations" in TBB International Bank Corp. v. José Antonio Oliveros Febres Cordero, Alejandro J. Valencia Hurtado, Holding Activo Ltd., of Barbados; Alexandra Oliveros Febres Cordero, María Eugenia Febres Cordero Zamora, José Antonio Oliveros Mora, Gorlio Enterprises Ltd., of the British Virgin Islands; El Retiro Group Ltd., of the British Virgin Islands; AIB Properties Limited Ltd., of Barbados; Don Goyo Corporation Aviation, of Delaware; Inversiones Saitam S.A., of Venezuela; Consultora Baru 2018 C.A., of Venezuela; Gustavo José Gerardo Corredor Salcedo, of Venezuela; Alejandro Enrique Montenegro Díaz, of Venezuela; Inversiones Elektrogorsk C.A., of Venezuela, and Intelinvest Casa de Valores S.A., of Panama, at the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

Nüüd Foods v. Ryan Thomas et al: Amended Complaint (‘$2.5M Advance Fee Fraud’)

January 30, 2023

Amended Complaint in U-Be-Livin-Smart Inc., d.b.a. Nüüd Foods, of Ontario, Canada v. Ryan L. Thomas, Ryan L. Thomas, Attorney at Law, described as a Utah corporation; Granite Family Office LLC, Dan Worthington, David Earle, US Finance Inc., Brian Locker, Lund Capital Partners Inc., MSB International LLC, Max Barber, NaPo Limited, of Barbados and Saint Lucia; Nik Korakianitis, of Canada; Dale Parsons, of England; SKN International Services Inc., a.k.a. FundingNet Inc., of Nevis; David Prentiss, of Ontario, Canada; G4S Secure Solutions Bahrain W.L.L.,of Bahrain; Citation Capital Management Limited, of England, and Seneca Leadership Limited, of England, at the Fourth Judicial District Court, in and for Utah County, State of Utah.

PB Life and Annuity Co. Ltd. et al v. Greg Lindberg et al: Complaint ($735M)

January 4, 2023

Complaint for $735 million in John Johnston and Rachelle Frisby, as Joint Provisional Liquidators of PB Life and Annuity Co. Ltd. (in Provisional Liquidation), Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) Ltd. (in Liquidation), Omnia Ltd. (in Liquidation), and PB Investment Holdings Ltd. (in Liquidation), PB Life and Annuity Co. Ltd., Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Omnia Ltd., and PB Investment Holdings Ltd., all of Bermuda v. Greg Evan Lindberg, Christa M. Miller, Christopher E. Herwig, Devin E. Solow, Eric D. Bostic, Bankers Life Insurance Company, Colorado Bankers Life Insurance Company, Southland National Insurance Corporation, and Southland National Reinsurance Corporation at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Venezuela US SRL v. Venezuela: Petition to Enforce Foreign Arbitral Award ($59M)

December 27, 2022

Petition to Enforce Foreign Arbitral Award in Venezuela US SRL, of Barbados v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Paul Ridley v. BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs: Restoration Application (Caribbean Freedom Holdings Ltd.)

November 21, 2022

Fixed Date Claim Form regarding Caribbean Freedom Holdings Ltd.. which was "formed for the purposes of holding a property known as Condominium Unit 379, Port St. Charles, Saint Peter, Barbados" in Paul Ridley v. Registrar of Corporate Affairs at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Radical Investments Ltd. v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC et al: Motion to File Second Amended Complaint (‘$12M COVID Vaccine Scam’)

July 22, 2022

Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to File Second Amended Complaint alleging the plaintiff "was deceptively lured into an elaborate scam to advance the sum of 12.2 million U.S. dollars for one million nonexistent doses of AstraZeneca vaccine" for COVID-19 and to add James L. Scott, a lawyer in Michigan, and Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, a law firm in Michigan, as defendants for alleged malpractice in Radical Investments Ltd., a St. Lucia company based in Barbados v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC, of Florida; Alex Lee Moore, a.k.a. Flex Moore; Prestige Pegasus LLC, of Colorado; Moniladae Coley, a.k.a. Moniladai Coley; Charles Stein, a.k.a. Charlie Stein, a lawyer in California, and Davidovich Stein Law Group LLC, a law firm California, at the U. S. District Court for the Central District of California.

GMA Inc. v. 2007 Sift Trust et al: Complaint ($11.3M)

April 13, 2022

Complaint "to recover millions of dollars in principal and interest that are outstanding, due, and owed to it by two Pennsylvania trusts" in GMA Inc., of Barbados v. 2007 Sift Trust, Sacks Family Office Trust, formerly SHIM Sacks Family Legacy Trust dated October 200, 2014, and Physician Helpers LLC at the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

SRC International (Malaysia) Ltd. et al: ‘Barbados Recognition’ Application

February 14, 2022

Originating Application by Angela Barkhouse, Carl Jackson, and Helen Janes, as Joint Official Liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) Limited (in Liquidation) and Bright Oriande Limited (in Liquidation), regarding foreign recognition at the High Court of Barbados, filed at the British Virgin Islands High Court.

Radical Investments Ltd. v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC et al : Counter-Complaint by Good Vibrations et al

January 28, 2022

Answer, Counter-Complaint, and Cross-Claim of Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC and Alex Lee Moore in Radical Investments Ltd., a St. Lucia-domiciled company based in Barbados v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC, of Florida; Alex Lee Moore, a.k.a. Flex Moore; Prestige Pegasus LLC, of Colorado; Moniladae Coley, a.k.a. Moniladai Coley; Charles Stein, a.k.a. Charlie Stein, a lawyer in California; Davidovich Stein Law Group LLC, a law firm California, and RDS Cargo Group DWC LLC, described in the complaint as a Polish company based in the United Arab Emirates, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Radical Investments Ltd. v. Charles Stein et al: Stein’s Motion to Dismiss

January 10, 2022

Motion to Quash Service and Dismiss Complaint by Charles Stein and Davidovich Stein Law Group LLP regarding an alleged $6.7 million fraud involving “non-existent doses” of a COVID-19 vaccine “for the purpose of vaccinating nearly 300,000 citizens of the island of Barbados” in Radical Investments Ltd., described as a St. Lucia company based in Barbados v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC, of Florida; Alex Lee Moore, a.k.a. Flex Moore; Prestige Pegasus LLC, of Colorado; Moniladae Coley, a.k.a. Moniladai Coley; Charles Stein, a.k.a. Charlie Stein, a lawyer in California, and Davidovich Stein Law Group LLC, a law firm California, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

SEC v. Joseph Cammarata et al: Asset Freeze Motion

November 3, 2021

Motion for Temporary Restraining Order involving an alleged fraud involving entities or account in the Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Gibraltar, and United States in U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Joseph Cammarata, Erik Cohen, David Punturieri, AlphaPlus Portfolio Recovery Corp., and Alpha Plus Recovery LLC at the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

‘Bahamas private island owner’ Joseph Cammarata & two others indicted for ‘$40M fraud’

November 3, 2021

New Jersey-based businessman Joseph Cammarata, who allegedly owns 'Sandy Cay' private island in the Bahamas, and two associates have been criminally indicted for allegedly swindling $40 million that was intended for securities fraud victims in a scheme that involved entities or accounts in several jurisdictions, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Gibraltar, and USA.

Radical Investments Ltd. v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC et al: First Amended Complaint

September 29, 2021

First Amended Complaint alleging a $6.7 million fraud involving “non-existent doses” of a COVID-19 vaccine “for the purpose of vaccinating nearly 300,000 citizens of the island of Barbados” in Radical Investments Ltd., described as a St. Lucia company based in Barbados v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC, of Florida; Alex Lee Moore, a.k.a. Flex Moore; Prestige Pegasus LLC, of Colorado; Moniladae Coley, a.k.a. Moniladai Coley; Charles Stein, a.k.a. Charlie Stein, a lawyer in California, and Davidovich Stein Law Group LLC, a law firm California, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Barbados Gov’t ‘agent’ lost $6.7M in ‘COVID-19 vaccine fraud’

September 19, 2021

A Caribbean firm operated by Barbadian developer Mark Maloney that says it was hired by the Barbados Government to procure one million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for the country's population claims to have been swindled out of $6.7 million. It's not clear from a complaint filed at federal court in the U.S. last week whether the amount originated from the Government or the company, Radical Investments Ltd.

Radical Investments Ltd. v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC et al: Complaint

September 17, 2021

Complaint alleging a $6.7 million fraud involving "non-existent doses" of a COVID-19 vaccine "for the purpose of vaccinating nearly 300,000 citizens of the island of Barbados" in Radical Investments Ltd., described as a St. Lucia company based in Barbados v. Good Vibrations Entertainment LLC, of Florida; Alex Lee Moore, a.k.a. Flex Moore; Prestige Pegasus LLC, of Colorado; Moniladae Coley, a.k.a. Moniladai Coley; Charles Stein, a.k.a. Charlie Stein, a lawyer in California; Davidovich Stein Law Group LLC, a law firm California, and RDS Cargo Group DWC LLC, described as a Polish company based in the United Arab Emirates, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Kathleen Davis v. Estate of Iain Deane et al: Final Judgment

August 11, 2021

Final Judgment for $269 million in favor of the plaintiffs regarding "a systemic racketeering scheme employed by Iain Deane and various co-conspirators" involving Kingsland Estates Ltd., in Barbados, in Kathleen I. Davis, individually, as Trustee of the Marjorie Ilma Knox Revocable Trust, and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Marjorie Ilma Knox v. Estate of Iain Deane at the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Blackbird Capital LLC v. SION Trading FZE et al: First Amended Complaint

August 10, 2021

First Amended Complaint that "arises out of the Defendants' bad faith and fraudulent scheme, including a pattern of tortious and illegal misconduct and breaches of multiple contracts, related to a $25,000,000 loan Worth agreed to extend to Blackbird in connection with a planned real estate development project in Denver, Colorado" in Blackbird Capital LLC, described as "a real estate development company" in Iowa v. Worth Group Capital LLC, of Wyoming; Justin Ely, of Utah; Halls Law Office, of Idaho; Scotia International of Nevada, Inc., of Utah; Sion Trading FZE, of Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates; Max Warren Barber, of Utah; NaPo Limited, described as "a company located and incorporated in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Saint Lucia"; Nikolas Korakianitis, described as a citizen of Canada; GT Foundation, described as "a private interest foundation founded in Panama City, Panama" that "may have an office in London, England and/or New York", and Kumar Singh, of New York, at the U. S. District Court for the District of Utah.

‘Victim’ of alleged fraud involving UAE’s SION Trading complains to FBI

July 9, 2021

A would-be borrower that claims to have lost $5 million in an advance fee fraud involving companies and individuals in or from Barbados, Canada, Panama, Saint Lucia, UAE, and the USA, including SION Trading, says it has complained to law enforcement and regulators about the alleged scheme.

Blackbird Capital LLC v. SION Trading FZE et al: Plaintiff’s Motion to File First Amended Complaint

July 6, 2021

Plaintiff's Motion to File First Amended Complaint alleging a "widespread fraudulent scheme perpetrated by Defendants in which they conspired to induce would-be borrowers to transfer significant funds to them as deposits on purported large-scale commercial loans" in Blackbird Capital LLC, described as "a real estate development company based in Des Moines, Iowa" v. Worth Group Capital LLC, of Wyoming; Justin Ely, of Utah; Halls Law Office, of Idaho; Scotia International of Nevada, Inc., of Utah; SION Trading FZE, of Ral Al Khaimah, of the United Arab Emirates; Max Warren Barber, of Utah; NaPo Limited, described as "a company located and incorporated in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Saint Lucia"; Nikolas Korakianitis, described as a citizen of Canada; GT Foundation, described as "a private interest foundation founded in Panama City, Panama" that "may have an office in London, England and/or New York", and Kumar Singh, described as a resident of New York, at the U. S. District Court for the District of Utah.

Blackbird Capital LLC v. SION Trading FZE et al: Order Allowing Email Service

June 7, 2021

Memorandum Decision and Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Serve SION Trading FZE by Email due to its owner, Max Warren Barber, "avoiding service" in Blackbird Capital LLC v. Worth Group Capital LLC, of Wyoming; Justin Ely, of Utah; Halls Law Office, of Idaho; Scotia International of Nevada, Inc., of Utah; SION Trading FZE, of Ral Al Khaimah, of the United Arab Emirates; Max Warren Barber, of Utah; NaPo Limited, described as "a company located and incorporated in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Saint Lucia"; Nikolas Korakianitis, described as a citizen of Canada; GT Foundation, described as "a private interest foundation founded in Panama City, Panama" that "may have an office in London, England and/or New York", and Kumar Singh at the U. S. District Court for the District of Utah.

Benchmark Interest (Asia) Ltd. v. Philip Groves: Discovery Application

May 10, 2021

Application by Benchmark Interest (Asia) Limited, described as a subsidiary of British Virgin Islands-domiciled Absolute Success Holdings Limited and "a significant investor in certain funds within the Pacific Harbor group", to take discovery from Philip G. Groves, described as the Founder, Chairman and CEO of the DAC Group, for use in "a court proceeding that will be commenced shortly in Barbados" involving "loss as a result of the wrongful conduct of DAC China SOS (Barbados) SRL", filed at the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd. v. Occidental Exploration and Production Company: Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award

May 3, 2021

Petition to Confirm Arbitration Award of $391 million in Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd., a Barbados company based in Ecuador v. Occidental Exploration and Production Company, of California, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

VL Assurance (Bermuda) Ltd. et al: Chapter 15 Petition

April 12, 2021

Chapter 15 Petition for Recognition of a Foreign Main Proceeding in Bermuda by Michael Morrison and Mark Allitt, of KPMG Advisory, as the Foreign Representatives of VL Assurance (Bermuda) Ltd., Valor Group Ltd., and Valor Management Ltd., described as Bermuda companies that are part of a group that also includes companies in Barbados, Ireland, Liechtenstein, and the United States and which are "victims of activity perpetrated between 2013 and 2016 by Jason Sugarman - a former director of the VL Bermuda Debtor - and others, including Jason Galanis, that ultimately led to the insolvency of the VL Bermuda Debtors", filed at the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Nüüd Foods v. Ryan Thomas et al: Complaint (‘$2.5M Advance Fee Fraud’)

January 28, 2021

Complaint in U-Be-Livin-Smart Inc., d.b.a. Nüüd Foods, of Ontario, Canada v. Ryan L. Thomas, Ryan L. Thomas, Attorney at Law, described as a Utah corporation; Granite Family Office LLC, Dan Worthington, David Earle, US Finance Inc., Brian Locker, Lund Capital Partners Inc., MSB International LLC, Max Barber, NaPo Limited, of Barbados and Saint Lucia; Nik Korakianitis, of Canada; Dale Parsons, of England; SKN International Services Inc., a.k.a. FundingNet Inc., of Nevis; David Prentiss, of Ontario, Canada; G4S Secure Solutions Bahrain W.L.L.,of Bahrain; Citation Capital Management Limited, of England, and Seneca Leadership Limited, of England, at the Fourth Judicial District Court, in and for Utah County, State of Utah.

UAE ‘gold supplier’ SION Trading sued for ‘$5M fraud’

January 21, 2021

UAE-domiciled purported gold supplier SION Trading FZE, which has been implicated in several fraudulent schemes, including a cryptocurrency scam involving Bermuda-based Arbitrade, is being sued in Utah along with individuals and firms in or from Barbados, Canada, England, Panama, St. Lucia, and the USA for allegedly perpetrating a $5 million 'advance fee' fraud.

Blackbird Capital LLC v. SION Trading FZE et al: Complaint

January 20, 2021

Complaint alleging fraud in Blackbird Capital LLC, of Iowa v. Worth Group Capital LLC, of Wyoming; Justin Ely, of Utah; Halls Law Office, of Idaho; Scotia International of Nevada, Inc., of Utah; SION Trading FZE, of Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates; Max Warren Barber, of Utah; NaPo Limited, described as "a company located and incorporated in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Saint Lucia"; Nikolas Korakianitis, described as a citizen of Canada; GT Foundation, described as "a private interest foundation founded in Panama City, Panama" that "may have an office in London, England and/or New York", and Kumar Singh at the U. S. District Court for the District of Utah.