Cases by state
Ponzi schemes in Washington
19 cases announced 2008–2026, involving about $981.1M in reported investor money. Most common types: investment funds & advisory, real estate and energy & alternative assets. Listed by where the main defendant was based.
The largest by reported amount: Water Station Management LLC, Creative Technologies Inc. ($275M, 2025). Charges are allegations unless a court has entered a conviction or judgment.
Pitch phrases seen in these cases
- “dividend distributions”
- “did not exist or had already been sold”
- “higher guaranteed returns and exclusive financing options”
- “guaranteed profits of up to 34.9% compounded monthly”
- “leveraged staking trading”
- “risk free”
- “high rate, tax free”
- “they could make big money for sending emails”
Cases
| Date | Case | Location | Industry | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 2026 | Joel Richard Frank | Wenatchee, WA | Real estate | $39M |
| Feb 17, 2026 | iCap Chris Christensen, Jim Christensen |
Bellevue, WA | Real estate | $250M |
| Aug 14, 2025 | Water Station Management LLC, Creative Technologies Inc. Ryan Wear, Jordan Chirico |
Marysville, WA | Energy & alternative assets | $275M |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Solanofi, Solano Partners Ltd., Solano Capital Investments Francier Obando Pinillo |
Pasco, WA | Crypto & digital assets | $5.9M |
| Feb 22, 2024 | Hannes Financial Services Inc. Ronald Walter Hannes |
Spokane, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $3M |
| Dec 1, 2022 | Trend Sound Promoter AMG Corp. Volodimyr Pigida, Marina Bondarenko |
Bellevue, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $11M |
| Dec 17, 2021 | Charles Richard "Dick" Burgess | Vancouver, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $4.3M |
| Jan 21, 2020 | Guy Scott Griffithe, Robert William Russell | WA | Investment funds & advisory | $4.8M |
| Apr 16, 2018 | Northwest Territorial Mint Bernard Ross Hansen, Diane Renee Erdmann |
Auburn, WA | Energy & alternative assets | $25M |
| Mar 20, 2017 | Summit Asset Strategies Chris Young Yoo |
Bellevue, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $3.7M |
| Nov 10, 2016 | Thomas & Company Wealth Management LLC, Insured Income Solutions LLC David P. Thomas |
Bellingham, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $545,000 |
| Jan 30, 2013 | Greg Jeffreys, Kimberly Jeffreys, Shannon Stiltner | Spokane, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $1.4M |
| Sep 22, 2011 | Little Loan Shoppe Doris E. Nelson |
Colbert, WA | Lending & cash advance | $135M |
| Jul 7, 2011 | NDG Investment Group LLC Jose L. Nino de Guzman Jr. |
Seattle, WA | Real estate | $20M |
| Apr 6, 2011 | Stephen J. Klos | Mercer Island, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $3.5M |
| Oct 21, 2010 | Meridian Group Frederick Darren Berg |
Mercer Island, WA | Real estate | $100M |
| Feb 9, 2009 | Quest Holdings Inc Craig T. Jolly |
Spokane, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $4M |
| Feb 5, 2009 | Robert Miracle, Mukhtar Kechik, Fahimi Fisal | Bellevue, WA | Energy & alternative assets | $65M |
| Jan 29, 2008 | Charles Nolon Bush | Port Orchard, WA | Investment funds & advisory | $30M |