SEC obtains judgment against Ohio adviser who defrauded investors

SEC obtains judgment against Ohio adviser who defrauded investors
Scott Allen Fries, a former Transamerica rep and adviser, took at least $458,000 from at least 10 individuals.
MAR 17, 2022

The Securities and Exchange Commission said the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio entered a final judgment against Scott Allen Fries, a former registered representative and investment adviser representative at Transamerica, for defrauding investors.

According to the SEC, from March 2014 to March 2019, Ohio-based Fries raised at least $458,000 from at least 10 individuals, some of them his brokerage customers, but used the money for personal expenses, including mortgage payments and credit card bills, rather than investing it. He lied to the individuals about their investments, created false account statements that showed profitable investments, and lied to his employer about taking the money from brokerage customers.

In July 2019, Transamerica discharged Fries, and in August 2019, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. barred him for failing to cooperate with an investigation.

The court ordered Fries to pay $428,334.53 in disgorgement, as well as prejudgment interest of $110,548.02 and a civil penalty of $208,500.

Latest News

The power of cultivating personal connections
The power of cultivating personal connections

Relationships are key to our business but advisors are often slow to engage in specific activities designed to foster them.

A variety of succession options
A variety of succession options

Whichever path you go down, act now while you're still in control.

'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists
'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists

Pro-bitcoin professionals, however, say the cryptocurrency has ushered in change.

LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade
LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade

“LPL has evolved significantly over the last decade and still wants to scale up,” says one industry executive.

What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?
What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?

Survey findings from the Nationwide Retirement Institute offers pearls of planning wisdom from 60- to 65-year-olds, as well as insights into concerns.

SPONSORED The future of prospecting: Say goodbye to cold calls and hello to smart connections

Streamline your outreach with Aidentified's AI-driven solutions

SPONSORED A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead

This season’s market volatility: Positioning for rate relief, income growth and the AI rebound