Post by : Saif Rahman

An investment manager based in New York has been detained on charges related to defrauding investors through a pre-IPO scheme associated with the U.S. drone manufacturer Anduril Industries. Giovanni Pennetta, who heads Sestante Capital, was apprehended at JFK Airport on Sunday and is facing serious accusations including securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Officials allege that Pennetta made false promises to clients, claiming access to exclusive shares of Anduril, while he actually had no legitimate connection to the company's stock. Reports indicate that investors were misled with offers of “economic exposure” to Anduril shares, which were non-existent.

Pennetta's legal representative has not provided any comments. Meanwhile, Anduril specializes in developing drones and military AI systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and was valued at $30 billion in a recent funding round. The company cautions that investment opportunities not issued directly by them are often fraudulent.

This situation underscores the increasing risks associated with private tech investments. Recently, Anduril’s founder, Palmer Luckey, accused the cryptocurrency firm AlphaTON of misleading investors after a $30 million investment deal, later retracted. AlphaTON and its CEO did not reply to inquiries regarding this claim.

Experts point out that private tech firms like Anduril, SpaceX, and OpenAI face elevated risks of fraud due to limited public scrutiny. Investors frequently encounter polished pitches, counterfeit documentation, and promises of early access.

Daniel Taylor, director of the Wharton Forensic Analytics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “The lack of public oversight in private companies makes this sector more prone to fraud and manipulation.”

This occurrence aligns with a broader trend; in September 2024, the SEC charged three individuals for a pre-IPO fraud scheme that amassed $120 million from numerous investors. Earlier, in February, three sales executives were arrested in New York for a comparable scheme.

The apprehension of Pennetta serves as a crucial reminder for investors to remain vigilant, verify opportunities rigorously, and steer clear of unconfirmed deals from companies. Ongoing investigations call for heightened caution in the expanding landscape of private tech ventures.

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