BULLETIN: Felony Warrants Issued For Accused Montana Ponzi Schemer And Affinity Fraudster Richard F. Reynolds; ‘Phony Gold And Foreign Currency Trading Schemes’ Alleged — With ‘Pastors’ Used As Pitchmen

BULLETIN: Richard F. Reynolds, of the region of Bozeman, Mont., is wanted on 20 felony warrants, Montana officials said. Reynolds also is known as Richard F. Adkins.

Reynolds, the office of Montana Commissioner of Securities Monica J. Lindeen said, presided over an “elaborate” caper that swindled “at least 140 victims from 21 states and 6 countries.”

Between 2008 and 2011, the scam “shuffled investor’s money across more than 30 bank accounts to be spent on new cars, international vacations, and a new home for Reynolds and his wife,” Lindeen’s office said.

As many as eight corporations Reynolds created over the three-year period may be part of the swindle, Lindeen’s office said.

An investigation has been under way for 19 months, Lindeen’s office said.

Reynolds faces up to 200 years in prison. The investigation is being conducted by Lindeen’s office and the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office, authorities said.

A former employee of Reynolds told investigators that Reynolds was a devoted scammer “not concerned about who he hurts — seniors, and even single parents with kids,” Lindeen’s office said.

“Reynolds allegedly used his connections with various ministers, pastors, and other religious leaders to recruit victims into his scheme,” Lindeen’s office said. “Pastors told investigators Reynolds paid approximately 10 percent of new funds they brought into the scheme, and tax records indicate that the pastors were considered employees of Reynolds’ companies. The pastors said they believed all of the money was being invested in foreign currency trading or gold opportunities until Reynolds abruptly cut off contact in the fall of 2011.”

Some of the investors hailed from Russia, Mexico, Germany and South Korea, Lindeen’s office said. Court documents also reference Canada.

Reynolds has not been arrested and is considered “wanted,” officials said.

When arrested, Reynolds faces bond of $10 million, officials said.

He was associated with an “umbrella” entity known as “United Consultant Investment Corporation” and nested “pyramid schemes” and embezzlement within his elaborate fraud mix, officials said.

“Marketing materials given to potential victims promised 100 percent quarterly returns on investments in Reynolds’ phony gold and foreign currency trading schemes through two of his companies, Buffalo Exchange and Buffalo Extension LLP,” officials said.

Losses preliminarily are estimated at more than $5 million.

Link to affidavit of probable cause.

Link to criminal information.

 

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6 Responses to “BULLETIN: Felony Warrants Issued For Accused Montana Ponzi Schemer And Affinity Fraudster Richard F. Reynolds; ‘Phony Gold And Foreign Currency Trading Schemes’ Alleged — With ‘Pastors’ Used As Pitchmen”

  1. Some of the investors hailed from Russia

    If he doesn’t have a plan to pay these guys back, he may not want to be released.

  2. I guess I should explain that a little better.

    Little gradmas and retired schoolteachers in Russia don’t go looking to invest overseas, doesn’t happen.

    No, when Russian investors are involved in western investment scams,that’s a pretty good indication that it’s Russian Criminals. They could have been part of the scam whose interest is set up in such a way that when the botttom falls out they look like victims (this happens a lot actually) or even worse for the instant scammer, his Russian investors are Russian Mobsters looking to either park or launder funds. And if you leave people like that hung out to dry, your life insurance premiums aren’t high enough for the hazard you’re facing.

  3. This Guy is Disgusting he told people he sees jesus and the angels in visions and dreams , LOL! What a freak ! Using religion to make people believe he wasn’t just an overweight Psycho with Grey teeth ! Him and his wife had 1o kids and homeschooled them and one couldnt read at 15 years old!! Wow cant believe this scammer !! I am looking forward to knowing they are in jail !

  4. Here is the link of the arrest for this Ponzi scheme loser Richard f reynolds :) http://www.abcmontana.com/news/state/161730995.html

  5. […] var icx_publication_id = 9402; var icx_content_id = '15063'; .icx-toolbar-closure{clear: both;}Richard F. Reynolds, the accused Montana Ponzi schemer, has been arrested in Kansas, ABCMontana is reporting via the […]

  6. Jennifer: Here is the link of the arrest for this Ponzi scheme loser Richard f reynolds :) http://www.abcmontana.com/news/state/161730995.html

    Thanks for this, Jennifer. I published a brief here:

    http://patrickpretty.com/2012/07/09/reports-accused-montana-ponzi-schemer-richard-f-reynolds-has-been-arrested-in-kansas/

    Patrick