Man Accused In GA $10M Investment Scheme Lands On FBI's New Most Wanted List

A man accused of defrauding Georgia residents out of more than $10 million is on the FBI's newest Most Wanted Fraudsters list, which was launched Thursday.

Christopher W. Burns, a registered investment advisor born in Pennsylvania, is suspected of being involved in a mail fraud scheme that defrauded dozens of people in Georgia, FBI Atlanta said.

During the alleged scheme, authorities said Burns falsely told people he invested their money into a peer-to-peer lending program during which loans were supported by collateral.

The collateral either did not exist or was significantly less than Burns promised, the FBI said.

Burns was last seen leaving his Berkeley Lake home on Sept. 24, 2020, a day before he was expected to submit business-related documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FBI said.

The vehicle he drove was found abandoned in Dunwoody, the FBI said.

Burns was charged with mail fraud, and a federal arrest warrant was issued for Burns on Oct. 23, 2020, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, the FBI said.

A reward of up to $150,000 is being offered in connection with the arrest and conviction of Burns.

Tips can be submitted via the FBI's free tip line, 1 (800) 225-5324 or online.

See the full FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list.