NEWS RELEASE: Utah Division of Securities and CFTC Secure Final Judgment Against Precious Metals Firm that Defrauded Elderly Adults

The final judgment against Safeguard Metals LLC and Jeffrey Ikahn orders restitution and a civil monetary penalty; underscores commitment to protect seniors from investment fraud Salt Lake City—Utah’s Department of Commerce’s Division of Securities (Division), represented by the Office of the Utah Attorney General (OAG), today announced that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California recently entered a …

NEWS RELEASE: Belgian National Sentenced to Prison after Defrauding Investors in a $5M Ponzi Scheme

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Belgian national in the United States operated a $5 million Ponzi scheme over the course of five years was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. Kenny Dirk Van Der Spek, 36, who was living in South Jordan, Utah, pleaded guilty to securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in May 2025, after he defrauded approximately …

Utah Division of Securities Modifies Fee Guidance for Investment Advisers

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Securities (Division) announced a modification to its guidance for registered investment adviser (RIA) firms regarding reasonable hourly fees. Effective immediately, RIA firms may set hourly rates they deem reasonable based upon their experience and expertise, with the Division maintaining its statutory authority to seek sanctions against RIA firms that charge …

NEWS RELEASE: Robert Cummings Appointed as New Director of the Utah Division of Securities

Salt Lake City, Utah—The Utah Department of Commerce has appointed Robert Cummings as the new Director of the Utah Division of Securities (Division). Cummings brings over 15 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation, along with a strong passion for public service, to his new role. He has tried several cases in the securities industry, including criminal securities fraud …

NEWS RELEASE: Investment Scammer Sentenced to 96 Months’ Imprisonment for Defrauding Alpha Influence Investors of Over $20M

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jeremiah Joseph Evans, aka “The Bull,” 29, of Utah County, Utah, was sentenced today to 96 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to defrauding approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors in his company Alpha Influence LLC.   The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell, comes after Evans pleaded guilty on January 23, …

NEWS RELEASE: Utah County Man Sentenced to Prison for Affinity Fraud Scheme that Scammed Over $5M from Alpha Influence Investors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Kole Glen Brimhall, 27, of Orem, Utah, was sentenced today to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment after he defrauded approximately 135 investors through the sale of a fraudulent investment offered through Alpha Influence, LLC, a registered Utah company. Brimhall was also sentenced to three years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay a forfeiture money …

NEWS RELEASE: Belgium National and Utah Business Owner Charged After Allegedly Running a $5M Ponzi Scheme

$3M of investor funds allegedly used on real estate, a personal chef, Chevrolet Corvette & more SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –A Belgium national and the owner of K & K Strategies is facing federal charges after he allegedly operated a $5 million Ponzi scheme.  The Utah investment owner, who was not licensed to sell securities, allegedly defrauded approximately 75 investors, …

NEWS RELEASE: Utah County Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison After Running a $1.6M Affinity Fraud Scheme

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jacob Welch Dalton, 28, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and ordered by the court to pay $1,553,806 in restitution.  Dalton defrauded approximately 45 investors in a securities fraud scheme by obtaining investments from people that he knew personally or through social media. The sentence, imposed by …

NEWS RELEASE: Alpha Influence Ringleader Admits to Defrauding Investors of Over $20M

Alpha investment scheme defrauded more than 500 victims in Utah and elsewhere SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah businessman pleaded guilty today to securities fraud and money laundering after admitting he lied to investors and fraudulently sold investment contracts, which are securities, through his company Alpha Influence, LLC for “Alpha Automated Stores.” Jeremiah Joseph Evans “The Bull,” 29, of …