FRAUDSTER'S SWEDISH DREAM COLLAPSES! MILLIONS LOST IN SHOCKING SCHEME!

SEC v. Charles T. Lawrence, Jr., Justin D. Smith, Landes and Compagnie Trust Prive aka Landes and Compagnie Trst Prive KB, et al. — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Litigation Release No. 26400, dated September 12, 2025.

Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. allegedly orchestrated an offering fraud, promising investors high weekly returns of 25% to 100% with no risk. He directed investor funds to an entity he controlled and misappropriated at least $4.89 million for personal purchases. The SEC has obtained judgments against several relief defendants, including Justin D. Smith, who was ordered to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest.

In Plain English

Imagine someone promising you a magic money machine that would give you back 25% to 100% of your money every week, and saying your money would be totally safe. This person, Charles Lawrence, did just that. He took money from people, put it into a company he controlled, and then used most of it to buy himself fancy things. The SEC stepped in and is making some people who received money from him, like Justin Smith, pay back what they got.

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. The Promise Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. presented himself as the managing director of a Swedish entity, Landes and Compagnie Trust Prive KB. He pitched investment contracts to prospective investors.
2. Unrealistic Returns Lawrence promised investors that their investments would generate weekly returns ranging from 25% to 100%. He also assured them that their funds would not be at risk.
3. Directing Funds Investors were instructed to send their money directly to a bank account held in the name of Landes Prive, LLC, an entity that Lawrence controlled.
4. Misappropriation of Funds Instead of investing the funds, Lawrence allegedly misappropriated almost all of the investor money, totaling at least $4.89 million, for his personal benefit.
5. Lavish Personal Purchases Lawrence used the misappropriated investor funds to make extravagant personal purchases, further demonstrating the diversion of funds away from legitimate investment.
6. Distribution to Relief Defendants As part of the scheme, Lawrence also sent at least $689,000 to five relief defendants, including Justin D. Smith and his entity, Landes KB.

The Enforcement Action

SEC Obtains Final Judgment by Consent Against Relief Defendant Justin D. Smith in Offering Fraud Case. On August 25, 2025, the SEC obtained a final judgment against relief defendant Justin D. Smith, ordering him to pay disgorgement of $297,700 plus $38,371 in prejudgment interest, jointly and severally with his entity, Landes and Compagnie Trust Prive aka Landes and Compagnie Trst Prive KB ("Landes KB"). The Commission had previously obtained a final default judgment against Landes KB for the same amounts on October 31, 2024. The court's ruling also modified Landes KB's judgment to make the amounts joint and several with Smith. Previously, on October 31, 2024, the SEC obtained a final judgment by consent against relief defendant Brenda M. Bisner, ordering her to pay disgorgement of $183,951 plus prejudgment interest of $18,940. Final default judgments were also obtained against relief defendant HekYeah, LLC, ordering disgorgement of $9,900 plus prejudgment interest of $1,392, and relief defendant Landes Prive, LLC, ordering disgorgement of $3,588,713 plus prejudgment interest of $402,534. The SEC’s litigation against Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. is ongoing.

Named in this action: Charles T. Lawrence, Jr., Justin D. Smith, Landes and Compagnie Trust Prive aka Landes and Compagnie Trst Prive KB, Brenda M. Bisner, HekYeah, LLC, Landes Prive, LLC.

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