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🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

German suspected investment fraudster added to FBI’s Most Wanted list

From Der Spiegel · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement In the courts
  • The FBI added a 65-year-old German businessman to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list after he fled the United States following his conviction for investment fraud.
  • Prosecutors estimate that victims lost at least $26.8 million after investing in a technology company he promoted in California.
  • He was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison, a $35,000 fine and $26.8 million in restitution after allegedly fleeing to Munich in October 2025.

The FBI has placed a German businessman on its Most Wanted Fraudsters list, saying the 65-year-old may now be in or near Munich. He allegedly persuaded investors in California to put money into a technology company, then used the funds to support a luxury lifestyle.

The alleged fraud took place between 2014 and 2017 and involved more than $20 million, according to the FBI. The businessman reportedly claimed that his technology could help celebrities and social-media influencers monetize brand endorsements.

Instead of investing the money in developing the product, investigators say he used part of it for himself. The FBI cited luxury cars, upgrades to his yacht and renovations to his Malibu villa. Prosecutors estimate the total loss to victims at least $26.8 million, or about 23 million euros.

He claimed the technology could help celebrities and social-media influencers monetize their brand endorsements.

· FBIThe bureau described the business pitch allegedly used to persuade investors.

A Los Angeles jury found him guilty in April 2025. He later fled to Mexico, where authorities detained him in September 2025 using falsified identity documents. After his release from immigration detention, he was ordered to report every two weeks.

The FBI says he escaped on Oct. 6, 2025, and traveled to Munich. In his absence, he received a 15-year sentence in a federal prison, a $35,000 fine and an order to pay $26.8 million in restitution.

to enrich himself and finance his luxurious lifestyle

· FBIThe bureau described how the alleged fraud proceeds were used.
About this summary

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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