Eastern District of New York | Queens Investment Advisor indicted for multimillion dollar securities fraud

Today, Surage Roshan Perera, the founder and executive director of Janues Capital, Inc. (Janues) in Bellerose, Queens, are being charged in federal court in Central Islip on a 16-count indictment of securities fraud, investment advisor fraud, bank fraud and money laundering, in connection with a scheme to defraud an investor ( Jane Doe) to buy shares in companies traded on the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Perera was arrested this morning and will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Deputy Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charges.

“As alleged, the victim entrusted Perera with millions of dollars of her hard-earned money for a safe investment,” said US attorney Peace. “In reality, the defendant defrauded the victim and used the money to enrich himself. This agency will hold the defendant accountable for his acts of greed and dishonesty.”

Mr. Peace thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., Criminal Prosecution Assistance Group for their cooperation and assistance.

As alleged in the indictment, between February 2022 and March 2023, Perera contacted Jane Doe via phone calls, emails, and text messages asking her to buy stock in companies that traded on the NASDAQ and NYSE, in exchange for a compensation. Perera falsely told Jane Doe that he had relationships with large institutions and could buy shares of those public companies at discounted prices. The defendant also told Jane Doe that her investment was a low-risk venture and that he would use her investment capital to buy stock in those publicly traded companies. As a result, Jane Doe gave Perera more than $4.2 million. However, instead of investing Jane Doe’s money in those securities, Perera embezzled those funds by, among other things: (1) paying installments to Jane Doe, (2) paying personal expenses, and (3) financing his day trading. To conceal his fraudulent scheme, Perera sent fraudulent confirmation messages and account statements to Jane Doe.

If convicted, Perera faces up to 20 years in prison.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and Perera is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Perera faces up to 20 years in prison.

In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected to chair the White-Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace will play a key role in making recommendations to AGAC to promote the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes, including postal and wire fraud, banking fraud, health care fraud ease. , tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud and identity theft.

The government’s case is being handled by the bureau’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Caffarone is in charge of the prosecution.

The defender:

SURAGE ROSHAN PERERA
Age: 50
Bellerose, Queens

EDNY Document No. 23-CR-129 (GRB)