Schuette Charges Two for Running $9 Million Ponzi Scheme Targeting Elderly in West Michigan

Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060

Agency: Attorney General

March 13,  2012

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and OFIR Commissioner Kevin Clinton today announced the Attorney General's Corporate Oversight Division has charged two West Michigan men for their alleged involvement in a $9 million Ponzi scheme, which operated under the name API Worldwide Holdings, LLC.  The charges result from a joint investigation by the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) and the Department of Attorney General which revealed at least 140 victims who were allegedly defrauded of thousands of dollars.  It is alleged that some elderly victims lost their life savings.

 "Financial scams devastate the lives of citizens who worked so hard to provide for their families," said Schuette.  "Crimes against the elderly are on the rise, and those who target Michigan seniors will face the toughest penalties under the law."

"OFIR will continue to work closely with Attorney General Schuette's office to bring suspected financial scam artists to justice," OFIR Commissioner Kevin Clinton said. "Michigan consumers should give us a call before entering into an investment and we will run a check on any broker, advisor or product."

It is alleged that from July 2006 through January 2012 API Worldwide Holdings and its operators ran as a Ponzi scheme promising huge returns on investments.  Jeffrey L Ripley, 59, of Sparta, and Danny Lee VanLiere, 60, of Grand Rapids, allegedly defrauded at least 140 victims of approximately $9 million by selling fake securities.  The two men allegedly promised high returns on money invested, but never delivered on their promises to victims.  Investigation revealed that victims were allegedly defrauded of amounts ranging from $3,000 to $600,000 each. 

Schuette alleges that Ripley and VanLiere targeted elderly investors with their scam.  Investigation revealed they allegedly preyed on elderly victims by convincing them to cash in certificates of deposit (CDs) and other legitimate investments in order to invest the proceeds in API Worldwide.  It is alleged Ripley and VanLiere would track maturation dates of CD's for each victim, so they could make contact and persuade the victims to transfer the funds to API Worldwide immediately after the CD matured.  None of the victims received any returns on their "investments," and some even lost their life savings to the scam.

The following charges have been filed by Schuette with the 58^th District Court in Grand Haven:

• Jeffrey Ripley:

  • One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

  • Six counts of False Pretenses - $20,000 or More, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and,

  • 25 Counts of Securities Act - General Violations, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. 

• Danny Lee VanLiere:

  • One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

  • Six counts of False Pretenses - $20,000 or More, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and,

  • 25 Counts of Securities Act - General Violations, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. 

• API Worldwide Holdings, LLC:

  • One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

  • Six counts of False Pretenses -  $20,000 or More, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and,

  • 25 Counts of Securities Act - General Violations, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. 

 Today Ripley was arrested by the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team. Arrangements are being made for VanLiere to surrender himself to the proper authorities. It is expected that both defendants will be arraigned on the charges at 1:00PM today in Grand Haven's 58^th District Court.

Schuette asks any citizens who believe they may be a victim of the alleged API Worldwide investment scam to contact the Attorney General's Corporate Oversight Division at (517) 373-1160.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Schuette encourages consumers to exercise caution before investing their money with those who promise exorbitant returns.  Key tips to avoid falling victim to a Ponzi scheme or investment fraud include:

• Check out your broker or adviser. Confirm that your broker and financial adviser is registered and in good standing. Contact the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, at 1-877-999-6442, to check out your broker or adviser.

• Beware of strangers touting strange deals. Trusting strangers is a mistake anyone can make when it comes to their personal finances.  Almost anyone can sound nice or honest on the telephone.  Say "no" to any investment professional who presses you to make an immediate decision, giving you no opportunity to check out the salesperson, firm and the investment opportunity itself.  Beware of anyone who suggests investing your money into something you don't understand or who urges that you leave everything in his or her hands.

• Take your time - don't be rushed into investment decisions. Salespersons who use high-pressure tactics to force an investor into an immediate decision are almost always pitching frauds. They don't want you to think too carefully or find out too much because you may figure out that it's a scam.

• Keep tabs on your investments. Be wary when a financial planner says "leave everything to me," or "the plan is too complicated to tell you."  Everything should be clear and explainable to you.

• Monitor the activity on your account.  Insist on receiving regular statements.

• Ask Questions.  Never be embarrassed or apologetic about asking questions for trading activity that looks excessive or unauthorized.  It's your money, not your broker's.

• Keep Diligent Records.  Keep all of your records relating to your investments, including notes of conversations you have with brokers, salespeople, and financial advisers.

Consumers can find helpful advice and a list of questions to consider in Attorney General Schuette's Consumer Alert for Ponzi Schemes, available on the Schuette's website at http://1.usa.gov/AGPonziAlert.  Attorney General Schuette also offers specialized consumer advice for seniors on how to avoid investment fraud through the Senior Brigade website, http://bit.ly/investmentfraud.    

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