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FBI asks for public’s help finding man behind $1.2M Kauai Ponzi scheme

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  • COURTESY FBI
    The FBI has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Peter Heckman, a 63-year-old German national who allegedly operated a $1.2 million Ponzi scheme on Kauai and was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 2007.

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a 63-year-old German national who allegedly operated a $1.2 million Ponzi scheme on Kauai and was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 2007.

Peter Heckman, who also uses the first name “Hans” and sometimes spells his last name “Heckmann,” was indicted by federal grand jury on seven counts of wire fraud relating to an investment scheme. The indictment alleges that Heckman operated a failing recording studio on Kauai and offered potential investors guaranteed returns of 10 to 15 percent for terms as short as two weeks. He allegedly raised over $1.2 million from investors while creating the illusion of legitimate investment returns by paying early investors with funds from later investors in what is commonly known as a “Ponzi scheme.” 

Heckman fled the islands prior to his indictment.

In 2010, the FBI was able to track Heckman to the Indonesian island of Bali where he was operating a recording studio and had launched a record label producing albums for musical artists in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Heckman is 5’7” tall, 200 pounds, with grey hair and blue eyes. 

The statutory maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison per count.  

Anyone recognizing Heckman or having information as to his current location is asked to call the Honolulu FBI at 808-566-4300.

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