SEC Charges Driver Who Posed as a Financial Professional and Lost Over $1 Million

Posted on December 12th, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.