Christopher W. Burns of Berkeley Lake, Georgia, has been named on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list as investigators say he defrauded dozens of victims out of at least $10 million through a promised “peer-to-peer” lending scheme backed by collateral that a
The last time anyone saw Christopher W. Burns, he had just stepped out of his home in Berkeley Lake, Georgia. That was Sept. 25, 2020.
Now, after years of pursuit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has put Burns on its new Most Wanted Fraudsters List—asking the public for help finding a man investigators describe as a fugitive tied to a mail-based fraud that, they say, cost dozens of victims at least $10 million.
Burns is wanted for alleged involvement in a scheme that used the mail to defraud victims. The FBI says he told people he was investing their money in a “peer-to-peer” lending program in which loans were backed by collateral. Prosecutors’ version of what happened next is stark: authorities allege the collateral Burns promised either did not exist or was far less than he represented.
The FBI says Burns was supposed to turn over documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Sept. 25, 2020. Instead, investigators say he left his home in Berkeley Lake and has not been seen since. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Dunwoody.
In 2023, a federal grand jury charged Burns with 10 counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and four counts of money laundering. The FBI also says he had already been facing one count of mail fraud.
The bureau is also describing Burns in case someone spots him: he is 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs around 240 pounds, with brown eyes and hair. The FBI says he has a tattoo on his left forearm of three interlaced black triangles.
The urgency comes with a price tag. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to Burns’ arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the FBI through its Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-225-5324 or to reach out to a local FBI office.
Christopher W. Burns FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters Berkeley Lake Georgia Dunwoody mail fraud wire fraud money laundering peer-to-peer lending Securities and Exchange Commission reward $150 000 1-800-225-5324
So he just vanished like that? crazy. Hope they catch him soon.
Peer-to-peer lending always sounds sketchy to me, like how is it even backed? The article says $10 million but then 2023 charges too, like what took so long.
Wait the last time anyone saw him was stepping out in 2020… but his vehicle was found in Dunwoody later? That part makes it sound like the FBI already knew where he was and just didn’t grab him.
I don’t get it, if it’s “mail fraud” wouldn’t it be like letters?? but they also mention wire fraud and money laundering so I’m confused. Also $150,000 reward sounds low for $10 million victims, unless they’re not really counting it right. Berkeley Lake, Dunwoody… that’s close to me, so I guess watch for the dude with the triangle tattoo or whatever.