SEC Charges Investment Fund Operators in Alleged $8.7 Million Fraud Scheme
From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Christopher Kenji Dinelli and Jacob David "Kobe" Frankel with allegedly defrauding 35 investors of more than $8.7 million through Beyond Alpha Ventures LLC and investment advisory firm Beyond Equity LLC.
According to the SEC's complaint, Dinelli, a former naval officer, solicited investments from veterans, medical professionals who serve veterans and other investors. Dinelli and Frankel allegedly told investors that Beyond Alpha Ventures would use their money for an options trading strategy or affiliated special purpose vehicles that purportedly held pre-IPO securities in two private companies.
According to SEC.gov, the SEC alleges that Dinelli and Frankel misrepresented the fund's historical performance, assets under management, client base and investment holdings to attract investors. Although the fund consistently lost money, the defendants allegedly continued promoting substantial returns. One document, titled "Trading Fund Overview 2024," claimed a 153 percent net return on investment.
The SEC also alleges that Dinelli and Frankel diverted money that investors intended for pre-IPO securities into the fund's brokerage accounts. Failed options trades consumed most of those funds, according to the complaint. The SEC further alleges that Dinelli misappropriated more than $1 million and Frankel misappropriated more than $340,000.
The SEC filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The agency charges both defendants with violating the antifraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The SEC also charges Frankel with violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest and civil penalties against Dinelli and Frankel.
SEC.gov reports that, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York also announced criminal charges against both men.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.
Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec enforcement, securities fraud, investment fraud, sec charges, white collar crime





