Attorney General cracks down on Internet investment scheme

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Attorney General Beau Biden has issued  an order prohibiting the operators of an international online   scheme from selling investments in Delaware.

Earlier this month, the AG’s  Securities Division opened an investigation into an  internet-based marketing effort soliciting   investments in a company called Profitable Sunrise.  Through solicitations directed into Delaware and other states, the company claims to generate   high returns on risk-free investments.

“After learning that unlawful solicitations were being made we acted quickly to help prevent consumers from falling prey to this investment scam,“ Biden said. “This scam is a reminder to be alert and skeptical of money-making claims that are simply too good to be true.  I urge investors who believe they have been the victims of this or other schemes to immediately contact our Investor Hotline at 302-577-8424.”

Profitable Sunrise  using websites, webinars, blogs, and YouTube videos to promote itself as a charitable Christian organization dedicated to financing businesses.  It claims that through short-term lending to under  served businesses it generates astronomically high returns on risk-free investments.

One Profitable Sunrise webinar promotes a daily return of 2.15%.  According to the webinar, a $200 investment at such a rate would return more than $7,400 after  170 days.  The  company encourages investors to market the scheme to friends and family by offering commissions. The scheme seems to be targeting faith-based communities, a release from the Attorney General’s office stated.

The founder and owner of Profitable Sunrise – Roman Novak, and Radoslav Novak, his brother and business associate – are based in Birmingham, England.  Neither brother is licensed or registered to sell securities in Delaware and none of the investment products   are registered in Delaware. One Delaware investor was told was told his investment went towards a clean water program for impoverished countries, while other investors have been told that Profitable Sunrise makes loans to business in the US.  Biden’s investigation revealed that at least three Delaware residents invested more than $3,000 in the company.

To date, investigators have been unable to locate a single business recipient of funds raised by Profitable Sunrise, let alone one capable of generating the  promised returns.  The company appears to have little physical presence other than a mailbox in England.  A bank account linked to the company was traced  back to the Czech Republic.

A cease and desist order was issued that prohibits Profitable Sunrise and its affiliates from marketing, issuing, or selling securities in Delaware and taking any other action that violates Delaware Securities Act.  Biden’s office took the action in coordination with more than a dozen other state and Canadian securities regulators who have identified Profitable Sunrise and its promoters as posing an immediate threat to the public interest.