SFO completes options trading investigation

SFO completes options trading investigation

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today completed its investigation of options trading company Derivatek New Zealand Limited (Derivatek). This has resulted in charges being laid against Gregory Alan Arnott, a 49 year-old option trader. Derivatek traded on behalf of New Zealand clients on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

Mr Arnott is facing charges laid under the Crimes Act of theft by person in a special relationship (5x) and false statement by promoter (5x).

The SFO alleges that Mr Arnott used approximately NZ$2,500,000, received from investors for the purposes of options trading, for other purposes. These are alleged to include personal use, funding a portion of an advance fee for a US$20million loan, and repayment of money due to other investors.

The SFO also allege that in order to conceal this activity, Mr Arnott issued false statements to investors.

Acting Chief Executive for the SFO, Mr Simon McArley, indicated that this was the third case of affinity fraud to be charged by SFO in the last six months. "This is a growing problem and highlights the importance of looking beyond personal connections and carefully assessing the risk of investments. There is considerable danger in basing investment decisions on the recommendation of a relative, friend or acquaintance rather than careful investment analysis."
 
The SFO commenced an investigation into Derivatek as a result of information obtained during an earlier investigation into the activities of Australian Securities (NZ) Ltd, another options trading company operated by Mr Arnott. Further charges are expected to be laid against another individual in relation to the activities of Derivatek, shortly.

Mr Arnott has been remanded to appear in the Auckland District Court on 13 November.

ENDS

For further information

Andrea Linton
Serious Fraud Office
027 705 4550

Note to editors

Background to investigation

Gregory Alan Arnott has been a self-employed stockbroker and options trader who has traded on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) since 2006. Prior to working as a self-employed stockbroker, Mr Arnott had worked for various companies in investment advisory/broker roles.

Mr Arnott traded on an individual basis for certain New Zealand investors from 2006. He also set up and operated the following companies through which he traded: Australian Securities Limited (ASL); Derivatek New Zealand Limited (Derivatek); and Derivatives Management Limited (DML). He is the sole director and shareholder of these companies.

Crimes Act offences

Section 220 Theft by person in special relationship
(1) This section applies to any person who has received or is in possession of, or has control over, any property on terms or in circumstances that the person knows require the person-
(a) to account to any other person for the property, or for any proceeds arising from the property; or
(b) to deal with the property, or any proceeds arising from the property, in accordance with the requirements of any other person.

(2) Every one to whom subsection (1) applies commits theft who intentionally fails to account to the other person as so required or intentionally deals with the property, or any proceeds of the property, otherwise than in accordance with those requirements.

(3) This section applies whether or not the person was required to deliver over the identical property received or in the person's possession or control.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), it is a question of law whether the circumstances required any person to account or to act in accordance with any requirements

242 False statement by promoter, etc
(1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who, in respect of any body, whether incorporated or unincorporated and whether formed or intended to be formed, makes or concurs in making or publishes any false statement, whether in any prospectus, account, or otherwise, with intent-
(a) to induce any person, whether ascertained or not, to subscribe to any security within the meaning of the Securities Act 1978; or
(b) to deceive or cause loss to any person, whether ascertained or not; or
(c) to induce any person, whether ascertained or not, to entrust or advance any property to any other person.

(2) In this section, false statement means any statement in respect of which the person making or publishing the statement-
(a) knows the statement is false in a material particular; or
(b) is reckless as to the whether the statement is false in a material particular

Role of the SFO

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was established in 1990 under the Serious Fraud Office Act in response to the collapse of financial markets in New Zealand at that time.


The SFO operates three investigative teams:

• Evaluation & Intelligence;
• Financial Markets & Corporate Fraud; and
• Fraud & Corruption.

The SFO operates under two sets of investigative powers.

Part I of the SFO Act provides that it may act where the Director "has reason to suspect that an investigation into the affairs of any person may disclose serious or complex fraud."

Part II of the SFO Act provides the SFO with more extensive powers where: "...the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence involving serious or complex fraud may have been committed..."


The SFO's Annual Report 2011 sets out its achievements for the past year, while the Statement of Intent 2012-2015 sets out the SFO's three year strategic goals and performance standards. Both are available online at: www.sfo.govt.nz