Fraudster's Cold-Call Army Raked In $7.9 MILLION With Fake Names!

SEC v. Norman V. Meier, Treuhand, Inc., Windeco Corporation, et al. — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Litigation Release No. 26273, dated March 20, 2025.

The SEC charged Norman V. Meier with orchestrating a multi-million dollar international securities fraud, defrauding over 180 European and three U.S. investors. Meier used cold-callers to solicit investments in fraudulent schemes and misappropriated funds for personal use and to pay his sales network. The court entered a final judgment against Meier and relief defendants, ordering significant disgorgement, interest, and civil penalties.

In Plain English

Imagine someone promising to invest your money in exciting companies, but instead, they take your money and spend it on themselves or to trick more people. That's what Norman Meier allegedly did. He used people to call investors in Europe and the U.S., promising big returns. But he didn't invest the money as promised; he kept it. A court has now ordered him to pay back millions of dollars.

Disclaimer: all facts are drawn from the SEC's own filings; the claims described are allegations unless and until a court rules or the parties settle, and some cases end in dismissal.

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

1. Creating Shell Companies From June 2015 to December 2023, Norman V. Meier created companies like Treuhand, Inc., Windeco Corporation, and Texxon Oil Corp. These entities served as vehicles for his fraudulent activities.
2. Recruiting Sales Teams Meier employed teams of cold-callers, primarily in Europe, who used fake names to contact potential investors. This created a layer of anonymity and distance from the actual fraud.
3. Soliciting Investments These cold-callers solicited investments by promising returns, offering shares in companies created by Meier or in well-known companies to which Meier had no real connection.
4. Receiving Investor Funds Between June 2015 and December 2023, Meier received at least $7.9 million from over 180 European investors and three U.S. investors. These funds were wired to U.S. bank accounts controlled by Meier.
5. Misappropriating Funds Instead of investing the money as promised, Meier allegedly misappropriated the funds for his personal use. He also used some of the money to pay his overseas sales network to attract more investors.
6. Using Relief Defendants Companies controlled by Meier, including Treuhand, Inc., Windeco Corporation, Texxon Oil Corp., and International Financial Services, Inc., allegedly received investor funds, acting as relief defendants in the SEC's action.

The Enforcement Action

On March 13, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered final judgment by default against Norman V. Meier, Treuhand, Inc., Windeco Corporation, Texxon Oil Corp., and International Financial Services, Inc. The court enjoined Meier from further violations of antifraud provisions, imposed a conduct-based injunction and an officer and director bar. Meier was ordered to pay $5,047,515 for disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. Relief defendants were ordered to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling over $5 million.

Named in this action: Norman V. Meier, Treuhand, Inc., Windeco Corporation, Texxon Oil Corp., International Financial Services, Inc..

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