Advisers found guilty of fraud
Two former financial advisers, Tunde Doja and Mohammad Zareei, have been found guilty after an investigation by ASIC found they had defrauded investors of nearly $1 million.
A jury in the Sydney District Court found Doja guilty of eight charges following a three-week trial.
Six charges related to allegations he fraudulently obtained financial advantage for investors by arranging 100 per cent investment loans through Macquarie Bank. It was also found that the loan applications to the bank on behalf of investors contained false information in relation to their financial position.
The jury also found Doja guilty of gaining financial advantage for the company he worked for, Progressive Investment Securities and Capital Investments Group, by fraudulently obtaining commissions of $740,025 from Capital Guaranteed Investments and $341,352 from MAN Investments Australia.
Zareei pleaded guilty on February 12, 2008, to one count of providing financial advice under Progressive Investment Securities without holding a valid Australian financial services licence.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of inducing investors to apply for 300,000 shares in Macquarie Bank products called OMIP 15-7.
Both Doja and Zareei are awaiting sentencing.
Recommended for you
Professional services group AZ NGA has made its first acquisition since announcing a $240 million strategic partnership with US manager Oaktree Capital Management in September.
As Insignia Financial looks to bolster its two financial advice businesses, Shadforth and Bridges, CEO Scott Hartley describes to Money Management how the firm will achieve these strategic growth plans.
Centrepoint Alliance says it is “just getting started” as it looks to drive growth via expanding all three streams of advisers within the business.
AFCA’s latest statistics have shed light on which of the major licensees recorded the most consumer complaints in the last financial year.