USA v. John Brinker: Judgment
Judgment in a Criminal Case in USA v. John Brinker at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Latin American Round-Up: May 14, 2007
BOLIVIA & VENEZUELA Bolivia and Venezuela shrug their shoulders Bolivia and Venezuela have shrugged off a U. S. State Department's annual report on global drug trafficking that criticizes them. In the report, Venezuela is singled out as an increasing menace.
Judgment against Leadenhall/Axxess may be increased from $1 m to $330 m
A $1 million civil judgment against two now defunct, Bahamas based entities - Leadenhall Bank & Trust Ltd. (in liquidation) and Axxess International Ltd. - may soon be increased to $330 million.That is because U. S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan
Offshore firms laundered proceeds of alleged $1 b Ponzi scheme, claim plaintiffs
Several offshore-based parties have been named as defendants in two new civil lawsuits that were filed recently by alleged victims of what they claim was a $1 billion Ponzi scheme.
They include legal entities and individuals based in Gibraltar, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom: Operation Humanity
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in the United Kingdom code-named Operation Humanity.
Switzerland seeks information about domain name for bank fraud investigation
Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged fraud - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Switzerland - that was filed at the U. S. District Court for the District of Arizona on February 5, 2007. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Delen (Suisse) SA, Delen Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., Melissa Poirier, CrystalTech Web Hosting Inc., Joseph Wong, Horst Steinmetz, NOLDC Inc., Philippe Ruchet, Ralph Henry Ermisch, and Lovina Lehr.
FIBG trial averted as final defendants plead guilty
The final two defendants in the criminal prosecution of five former officers and directors of the First International Bank of Grenada have pleaded guilty in the United States, thereby averting a trial into one of the most notorious offshore banking frauds in recent years.Douglas Christie Ferguson, 74, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and Laurent Barnabe, a 68-year-old Canadian national, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering at the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon on March 19 and March 27, 2006, respectively. Ferguson's plea agreement carries a recommendation that he serve 52 months in prison, while Barnabe's recommended prison-term is six years.
Czech Republic: Eva Kolenikova
Complaint for the arrest of Eva Kolenikova and extradition from the USA to the Czech Republic to face charges of check fraud.
FIBG trial averted as final defendant pleads guilty
The final defendant in the criminal prosecution of five former officers and directors of the First International Bank of Grenada has pleaded guilty in the United States.
Laurent Barnabe, a 68-year-old Canadian national, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering at the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon on March 27, 2006 - just seven days before the case was due to be tried. Barnabe's plea agreement includes a recommendation to the court that he be sentenced to six years in prison. Sentencing has been set for June 11, 2007.
Colorado regulator takes action to close down ‘offshore’ bank
Colorado's banking regulator has taken legal action in an attempt to close down American International Depository & Trust, which bills itself as the “first Old-World International Private Bank in the United States”.
AIDT is defending the action at Colorado's Office of Administrative Courts and has obtained an order sealing the case in an attempt to limit the damage to its business.
Damages of $1 m awarded against Leadenhall Bank & Axxess International
Damages totaling $1.04 million have been awarded against two Bahamas companies for their involvement in a U. S./Cayman Islands-based Ponzi scheme known as Cash 4 Titles.
The award against Leadenhall Bank & Trust Limited (in liquidation) and now-defunct Axxess International Limited, which combined to provide accounts and credit cards for victims, was entered jointly and severally at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on February 12, 2007.
Switzerland: Delensuisse
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Switzerland into alleged fraud via the web-site www.delensuisse.ch.
Grenada sued for $21 m after defaulting on loans from Taiwan bank
The Government of Grenada has become the latest impoverished nation to suffer the economic consequences of switching diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to China.
The Export-Import Bank of The Republic of China, a Taiwan-based, state-owned specialized bank for export and import credits, is seeking the recovery of $21.6 million, plus interest at $5,761 per day, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York regarding four loans that are in default.
Ponzi victims claim millions went out of offshore bank prior to receivership
Fraudulent conveyances totaling “millions of dollars” were made from Bahamas-based Leadenhall Bank & Trust Limited just before the bank went into voluntary receivership in 2005, it has been claimed.
The allegation was made in a filing at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by class action attorneys pursuing a claim for $100 million against the bank on behalf of approximately 2,300 victims of a Ponzi scheme known as Cash 4 Titles.
Colorado-based ‘offshore bank’ target of lawsuits & regulatory warning
A Colorado-based financial institution that promotes itself as the first ‘offshore bank' in the United States is living up to its billing - by becoming involved in controversy.
American International Holding LLC, d.b.a. American International Depository & Trust, has only been in business since 2003 but has already been sued twice at U. S. federal courts.
Bancafe International Bank Ltd.: Chapter 15 Petition
Chapter 15 Petition for Recognition of a Foreign Main Proceeding in Barbados by Marcus Wide, as the Foreign Representative of Bancafe International Bank Ltd., at the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Gillian Payne v. Denis Kleinfeld, et al: Complaint
Complaint in Gillian Payne v. Denis Kleinfeld and The Kleinfeld Law Firm, LLP at the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Oceanic Bank settles MJ Select Global lawsuit for $3.8 m
Investors in a failed Bahamas based investment fund have secured a $3.8 million settlement of a civil complaint filed in the United States against the Fund's liquidator and its former banker.Under the terms of the settlement, investors in MJ Select
HSBC Bank records sought in fraud inquiry in Argentina
Investigators in Argentina are seeking records from HSBC Bank, in Miami, for use in a criminal investigation into a sophisticated fraud involving the diversion of telephone calls as part of a scheme to drain funds from victims' bank accounts.Details are
Offshore banker John Deuss likely to spend Christmas in Dutch prison
Bermuda based offshore banker and oil trader John Deuss looks likely to spend Christmas in a Dutch prison after he was remanded in custody for another three months on November 2nd.Deuss, who is being investigated for his suspected involvement in
Insider Talking: November 9, 2006
The cold reality of life behind bars has persuaded former offshore banker Paul Morgan Jones to start turning over his assets to the Receiver of Cash 4 Titles, which perpetrated one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history, operating from
Bank of Cyprus sued for $40 m regarding services to alleged fraudster
The Bank of Cyprus is being sued for $40 million in damages concerning services it provided to an accused fraudster.A civil complaint was filed against the bank at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Hong Kong seeks extradition of alleged bank fraudster Chi Ho Chong
Hong Kong has requested the extradition of a suspected bank fraudster and thief from the United States.Details are contained in an extradition complaint that was filed at the U. S. District Court for the District of Nevada on April 13,
Austria request records at AmSouth Bank for fraud investigatgion into Max Ballweber
Austria is seeking records from AmSouth Bank as part of a criminal investigation into alleged fraud.Details are contained in an application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for assistance from Austria -
Argentina requests Bank of America records for fraud investigation into Gerardo Sanchez
Argentina is seeking records from the Miami branch of Bank of America as part of a criminal investigation into alleged fraud.Details are contained in an application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request
Chia Hsing Wang et al v. Bank Vontobel Cayman: Originating Summons
Originating Summons in Chia Hsing Wang, a.k.a. Bruno Wang, and Pauline Shiu Jun Yeh Wang, a.k.a. Pauline Wang, at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
Trade and Commerce Bank liquidator sues Arthur Andersen over audits
A civil complaint has been filed in the Cayman Islands against Arthur Andersen LLP for alleged negligence concerning audits of a failed Cayman Islands-licensed bank.The action has been filed at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands by Christopher Johnson, as liquidator of Trade and Commerce Bank, which went into liquidation in August, 2002.
Offshore banker released on $10 m bail, agrees to waive extradition to Netherlands
Offshore banker and oil tycoon John Deuss has been released on $10 million bail in Bermuda - three days after his arrest as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and other financial crimes.Deuss, a 64-year-old Dutch national who has resided in Bermuda since the 1970s, has agreed to waive extradition to the Netherlands, where he is wanted for questioning about alleged money laundering and other financial crimes.
Offshore banker John Deuss is ‘head of criminal organization’, claim Dutch investigators
Dutch investigators suspect offshore banker and oil trader John Deuss of being in charge of a criminal organization, his attorney told a Bermuda court yesterday.The revelation came during a hearing at which his attorneys were attempting for a second time to over-turn a Bermuda magistrate's decision to issue an arrest warrant for 64-year-old Deuss on October 2, 2006. Deuss has been in hiding since then and Bermuda police have appealed to the public for help in trying to locate him. The total area of Bermuda is just 21 square miles.
Arrest warrant issued for Bermuda-based offshore banker John Deuss
An arrest warrant has been issued for 64-year-old Bermuda resident John Deuss by the authorities in his native Netherlands, which are to seek his extradition from Bermuda so that they can question him about alleged money laundering at his bank, First Curacao International Bank NV, which is licensed in the Netherlands Antilles.
Germany: Josef Muller
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence from Turnberry Bank - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Germany - for a criminal investigation into Josef Muller, a.k.a. Leon Deane, for suspected investment fraud.
Joseph P. LaSala, et al v. Bank of Cyprus: Amended Complaint
Amended Complaint in Joseph P. LaSala and Fred S. Zeidman, as Co-Trustees of the AremisSoft Corporation Liquidating Trust, v. Bank of Cyprus at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
FCIB linked to massive ‘carousel’ tax fraud, reports British newspaper
A British newspaper has reported that the reason why John Deuss controlled First Curacao International Bank NV had its offices raided recently was because it had become the bank of choice for United Kingdom nationals who were committing a type
United Kingdom: Jared Brook et al
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Jared Brook, Lincoln Fraser and others for alleged investment fraud involving the Imperial Consolidated Group.
John Deuss steps down from bank due to money laundering probe
Oil tycoon John Deuss has “temporarily” stepped down as Chairman and CEO of Bermuda Commercial Bank due to an investigation into alleged money laundering and illegal banking, BCB has disclosed. BCB's Chief Operating Officer, Timothy W. Ulrich, and a director,
Timothy von Kaay says he is ‘retiring’ from financial services after OffshoreAlert asks him about his criminal record
The head of an offshore financial services group said he is selling his group and “retiring” from the business after being asked about his criminal record by OffshoreAlert.Timothy von Kaay, a 40 year old Canadian national and resident of Ontario,
Joseph P. LaSala, et al v. Bank of Cyprus: Complaint
Complaint in Joseph P. LaSala and Fred S. Zeidman, as Co-Trustees of the AremisSoft Corporation Liquidating Trust, v. Bank of Cyprus at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Costa Rica investigates Banco Solidario directors for alleged bankruptcy fraud
Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged bankruptcy fraud - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Costa Rica - that was filed at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on July 25, 2006. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Banco Solidario de Costa Rica SA, Jose Alberto Schroeder Leiva, Greene Orville Gordon, William Rojas Quesada, Ivan Francisco Duarte Blanco, and Pacific National Bank.
Nevis regulator issues warning against Irvin BonCamper
St. Kitts-based offshore financial services provider Malchus Irvin R. BonCamper and his group of companies are the targets of a warning issued by regulators in Nevis.According to a warning issued by Nevis Financial Services Development and Marketing Department on May 22, 2006, information on a web-site at www.boncamper.com is “misleading” and BonCamper, A.F.M. Trust and Corporate Ltd., AFM Trust & Corporate Services, and A.F.M. Services Group “are not licensed to conduct international/offshore financial services business in any capacity, in and from within Nevis.
Costa Rica: Banco Solidario de Costa Rica SA
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Costa Rica into Banco Solidario de Costa Rica SA, Jose Alberto Schroeder Leiva, William Rojas Quesada for suspected fraud to the detriment of Orville Gordon Greene.
Skirving and Regale plead guilty to conspiring to launder FIBG fraud proceeds
Two defendants face lengthy prison sentences after admitting their involvement in an investment fraud perpetrated by the First International Bank of Grenada.Robert Skirving and Rita Regale each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering regarding FIBG's fraudulent proceeds at the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon on July 19, 2006.
Nevis trust company hurriedly removes link to tax evader
A United States national who was convicted of tax evasion-related offenses as recently as June 30th, 2006 is secretly involved with a Nevis-based trust company, OffshoreAlert can reveal.
Until a few weeks ago, Charles Sigerseth, 66, of Missoula, Montana, was listed as the registrant for the domain name ‘guardiantrustcompany.com', which links to the web-site for Guardian Trust Company Ltd.
Wachovia Bank seeks to avoid giving records to Antigua corruption investigators
Wachovia Bank is trying to avoid turning over records to the Antigua Government for an investigation into alleged corruption by former Prime Minister Lester Bird, offshore banker Bruce Rappaport and others.
The North Carolina-domiciled bank has applied for a protective order in a civil complaint filed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Florida on February 23, 2006.
Fraud charges brought against five former Imperial Consolidated Group insiders
Five former insiders in the Imperial Consolidated Group were today each charged with conspiracy to defraud in the United Kingdom.
The defendants are Jared Bentley Brook, 36, of Manchester, England; Lincoln Julian Fraser, 35, of Brookenby, Lincolnshire, England; his brother, Nicholas Grant Fraser, 33, of Kirton Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England; William Godley, 58, of Almancil, Portugal; and Robert Statham Raven, 46, of Usk, Gwent, Wales.
Cayman National Bank seeks to quash IRS subpoena
Cayman National Bank Ltd. has filed a petition at federal court in Florida to quash a subpoena from the United States Internal Revenue Service.
The summons was served on CNB via its counsel in Tampa, Florida, John H. Mueller, of law firm Smith Clark Delesie Bierley Mueller & Kadyk, on May 5, 2006, according to the petition, which was filed at the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on May 22.
Cyprus seeks evidence in Delaware for investigation into credit card fraud
Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged fraud and forgery - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Cyprus - that was filed at federal court in the USA on May 9, 2006. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Action Rental Services Ltd., Washington Mutual Bank, Bank Atlantic FSB, Bank of America, Nicolas Marangos, Stateline Enterprises Ltd., Giorgos Panayiotou, Mainline Enterprises Ltd., Chris Kiltsikis, Romont Enterprises Ltd., Christos Tzavella, Whitelaw Enterprises Ltd., Nicolas Mazarekis, Yiannakis Aravis, and Nikola Marangou.
Former Peirano Group boss arrested in U.S., Uruguay asks for extradition
The 56-year-old former head of a major financial services group in Latin America has been arrested in Florida and faces extradition to Uruguay to face fraud charges.Juan Peirano Basso was arrested shortly after an extradition complaint was filed against him at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on May 19, 2006. He is currently being held in custody.
U.S. Bank NA v. Sendjer Shefket et al: $21M Default Judgment
Default Judgment for $21 million in U.S. Bank N.A. v. Sendjer Shefket and Target International Funds Ltd., both of England, at the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Ex-Grenada banker Richard Hinkle admits fraud, faces up to 5 years in prison
The operator of a now defunct offshore bank faces up to five years in prison in the United States and a $250,000 fine after he admitted defrauding investors of up to $7 million in a high yield investment scam.Richard Henry
U. S. indicts offshore gaming operators
A 13 month old criminal indictment against two individuals and two corporations involved in offshore gaming has been unsealed in the United States. Defendants William Paul Scott, 65 Jessica Pauline Davis Dyett, 35 Soulbury Ltd., a “bearer share” corporation formed
