LANSING — A pair of West Michigan men have been charged for their alleged involvement in a $9 million Ponzi scheme, which operated under the name API Worldwide Holdings LLC.

It is alleged that from July 2006 through January 2012, API Worldwide Holdings and its operators ran as a Ponzi scheme promising huge returns on investments. Jeffrey L. Ripley, 59, of Sparta, and Danny Lee VanLiere, 60, of Grand Rapids, allegedly defrauded at least 140 victims of approximately $9 million by selling fake securities. The two men allegedly promised high returns on money invested, but never delivered on their promises to victims. Investigation revealed that victims were allegedly defrauded of amounts ranging from $3,000 to $600,000 each.

The charges result from a joint investigation by the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) and the Department of Attorney General, which revealed at least 140 victims — including Montcalm County residents — who were allegedly defrauded of thousands of dollars. It is alleged that some elderly victims lost their life savings.

“Financial scams devastate the lives of citizens who worked so hard to provide for their families,” Attorney General Bill Schuette said. “Crimes against the elderly are on the rise, and those who target Michigan seniors will face the toughest penalties under the law.”

Schuette alleges that Ripley and VanLiere targeted elderly investors with their scam. Investigation revealed they allegedly preyed on elderly victims by convincing them to cash in certificates of deposit (CDs) and other legitimate investments in order to invest the proceeds in API Worldwide. It is alleged Ripley and VanLiere would track maturation dates of CD’s for each victim, so they could make contact and persuade the victims to transfer the funds to API Worldwide immediately after the CD matured. None of the victims received any returns on their “investments,” and some even lost their life savings to the scam.

“OFIR will continue to work closely with Attorney General Schuette’s office to bring suspected financial scam artists to justice,” OFIR Commissioner Kevin Clinton said. “Michigan consumers should give us a call before entering into an investment and we will run a check on any broker, advisor or product.”
The following charges have been filed against Ripley  and VanLiere with the 58th District Court in Grand Haven:

• One count of conducting criminal enterprises (racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;
• Six counts of false pretenses of $20,000 or more, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and,
• 25 counts of general violations of the state Securities Act, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Ripley and VanLiere were arraigned Tuesday. Bond was set at $500,000 each. They were also ordered to surrender their passports. The men are lodged in the Ottawa County Jail. A preliminary examination is scheduled for March 20.

Schuette asks any citizens who believe they may be a victim of the alleged API Worldwide investment scam to contact the Attorney General’s Corporate Oversight Division at (517) 373-1160.