Today, in federal court in Central Islip, Surage Roshan Perera, the Founder and Executive Director of Janues Capital, Inc. (Janues) in Bellerose, Queens, will be arraigned on a 16-count indictment charging him with securities fraud, investment advisor fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, in connection with a scheme to induce an investor (Jane Doe) to purchase stock in companies that traded on the NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Perera was arrested this morning and the arraignment will be held before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, the victim trusted Perera with millions of dollars of her hard-earned money for what she was assured would be a safe investment,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “In reality, the defendant deceived the victim and used the money to enrich himself. This Office 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 telephone calls, emails and text messages to solicit her to purchase stock in companies that traded on the NASDAQ and NYSE, in exchange for a fee. Perera falsely told Jane Doe that he had relationships with large institutions, and could purchase shares of those publicly-traded companies at discounted prices. The defendant also told Jane Doe that her investment was a low risk venture and he would use her investment capital to purchase shares in those public-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 misappropriated those funds by, among other things: (1) paying redemptions to Jane Doe, (2) paying personal expenses, and (3) funding his day trading. To conceal his fraudulent scheme, Perera sent fraudulent confirmation notices and account statements to Jane Doe.
If convicted, Perera faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ incarceration.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and Perera is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Perera faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace will play a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Caffarone is in charge of the prosecution.