Coquitlam man charged with criminal fraud, theft in securities investigation

A sign at the B.C. Securities Commission office in downtown Vancouver is seen on Dec. 28, 2024. (CTV News)

A Coquitlam resident is facing six charges after a criminal investigation led by B.C.‘s financial markets regulator.

The B.C. Securities Commission announced Friday that efforts by its criminal investigation branch had led to the charges against 45-year-old Brent Wai Keun Chow.

Chow has been charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of theft over $5,000. All charges stem from “misconduct that allegedly took place between 2017 and 2018 in Burnaby,” the BCSC said in a news release.

The agency said Chow was arrested in Coquitlam on Wednesday and has been released from custody with several conditions.

“He is prohibited from contacting the alleged victims, operating a private investment club, selling, promoting, buying, trading or distributing securities, or engaging in any investor relations activities, among other things,” the BCSC said.

It did not elaborate on the details of Chow’s alleged crimes.

Online court records indicate Chow’s next appearance is scheduled for March 19 in Vancouver provincial court.

“The BCSC would like to thank the Burnaby and Coquitlam RCMP for their assistance with the arrest,” the agency said.