$650M Fraud Lands Filipino on FBI’s Most Wanted List

What Happened?

A Filipino businessman named Rey E. Grabato II has been added to the FBI’s "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list. He is accused of moving a monolithic Ponzi scheme (a fake concern scam) that stole much than $650 cardinal from astir 2,000 investors. The FBI is offering up to $150,000 for accusation that leads to his arrest.

IMPORTANT POINT
Grabato is considered a fugitive — this means helium has been charged with crimes but is hiding from the law. He whitethorn beryllium successful the Philippines. If you person immoderate information, interaction your local FBI office oregon the nearest U.S. embassy oregon consulate.

Who Is Rey Grabato?

• Full name: Rey E. Grabato II (also known arsenic Rey Encarnacion Grabato II, Rey Grabato II, Rey Li Encarnacion Grabato)
• Former job: President and bulk proprietor of National Realty Investment Advisors LLC (NRIA)
• Last known locations: Hoboken, New Jersey and the Philippines
• Status: Fugitive — charged but not caught
• Co-conspirator: Thomas Nicholas Salzano (arrested successful October 2022)

The $650 Million Ponzi Scheme — Explained Simply

Imagine idiosyncratic tells you: "Give maine your money, I’ll put it successful existent estate, and you’ll marque large profits!"
But alternatively of investing, they use caller people’s wealth to wage aged investors — and support the remainder for themselves. That’s a Ponzi scheme.

How the Scheme Worked (Step by Step)

1. Created a fake-looking fund → Called it "NRIA Partners Portfolio Fund I LLC"
2. Lied to investors → Said the institution was financially beardown and making large profits
3. Aggressive marketing → Sent thousands of emails, ran TV/radio/billboard ads, held capitalist presentations
4. Collected money → From astir 2,000 investors (hundreds successful New Jersey)
5. Did NOT put properly → Generated little to nary existent profit
6. Paid aged investors with caller investors’ money → Classic Ponzi scheme
7. Stole millions → Grabato and partners misappropriated (stole) millions for themselves

Timeline

• February 2018 – January 2022 → Scheme operated
• October 12, 2022 → Federal apprehension warrant issued
• June 4, 2026 → FBI launched "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list; Grabato added

Separate Tax Fraud Scheme

Grabato is also accused of a second crime: helping fell $26 cardinal successful unpaid taxes from the IRS (U.S. taxation agency).

• Timeframe: November 2007 – August 2022
• Charge: Conspiracy to defraud the United States (tax obstruction)

Other Filipinos connected the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List

Grabato is not the lone Filipino-connected person connected this list. Others include:

What Is the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List?

• Launched: June 4, 2026
• Purpose: Highlight high-profile fraud fugitives the FBI is actively hunting
• Separate from the classical "Ten Most Wanted" list
• Focus: Major fraud offenses (Ponzi schemes, taxation fraud, owe fraud, etc.)

How You Can Help

If you cognize wherever Rey Grabato is — oregon person any information:

1. Call your section FBI office (find it astatine fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices)
2. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy oregon consulate (if you’re extracurricular the U.S.)
3. Submit a extremity online astatine tips.fbi.gov
4. Mention the reward — up to $150,000 for info starring to apprehension & conviction

REMEMBER
You tin stay anonymous. Your extremity could assistance bring justness to 2,000+ victims.

Summary

• Rey Grabato II, erstwhile existent property executive, is connected the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
• Accused of a $650 cardinal Ponzi scheme (2018–2022) that defrauded ~2,000 investors.
• Also charged with a $26 cardinal taxation fraud scheme (2007–2022).
• Fugitive — whitethorn beryllium successful the Philippines.
• $150,000 reward for info starring to arrest.
• Joins different Filipino-linked fugitives connected the database (launched June 2026).
• Report tips to FBI oregon U.S. embassy.

FAQ

What is simply a Ponzi scheme?

A Ponzi scheme is simply a fake concern scam wherever the relation pays returns to earlier investors utilizing wealth from newer investors — not from existent profits. It ever collapses erstwhile caller wealth stops coming in.

Why is Grabato connected the "Most Wanted Fraudsters" database and not the regular "Most Wanted" list?

The FBI created this new, abstracted database successful June 2026 specifically for major fraud fugitives — radical who stole millions done fiscal crimes similar Ponzi schemes, taxation fraud, and owe fraud.

What happens if Grabato is caught?

He volition look federal charges:

• Securities fraud
• Wire fraud
• Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. (taxes)
  If convicted, helium could look decades successful prison and beryllium ordered to wage restitution to victims.

Can I get the reward if I’m not successful the U.S.?

Yes. The FBI works with planetary partners. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy oregon consulate — they tin guardant your extremity securely.

How bash I cognize if I was a unfortunate of this scheme?

If you invested successful "NRIA Partners Portfolio Fund I LLC" oregon National Realty Investment Advisors (NRIA) betwixt 2018–2022, you whitethorn beryllium a victim. Contact the FBI’s Victim Services Division oregon the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey for guidance.