SEC Charges Driver Who Posed as a Financial Professional and Lost Over $1 Million
From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law
Federal regulators charged a New York area driver with masquerading as a seasoned investment professional and causing significant losses for three investors. According to ThinkAdvisor, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint, alleging that Shahin Ahmed falsely claimed hedge fund experience to solicit and manage client funds.
According to the SEC, Ahmed worked as the personal driver for a registered investment advisor that oversaw a hedge fund. From March 2020 through February 2022, he told prospective investors that he had professional money management expertise and formal qualifications he did not possess—he had no education beyond high school.
ThinkAdvisor reports that the SEC further alleged that Ahmed convinced individuals to give him access to their brokerage accounts so he could trade securities. He guaranteed risk-free investments. The complaint also notes that Ahmed created a business called Honest Partners LLC, a name “deceptively” similar to the firm where he worked as a driver.
Ahmed agreed to a bifurcated settlement, subject to court approval. The settlement includes permanent injunctive relief, a bar from acting as or associating with an investment advisor, and a bar from participating in the offer or sale of any security other than in his own personal accounts. According to ThinkAdvisor, the court will later determine any disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.
Separately, the Nassau County district attorney’s office arraigned Ahmed in June on a grand larceny charge related to the same conduct.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.
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