Michael Wayne Williams, 48, of Miami, Florida, United States was the founder of the hedge fund management company Highguard Capital. He served as the operator and investment manager of the company and its affiliated entities Guardian Opportunity Fund and Guardian Opportunity Management.
Michael Wayne Williams’ Ponzi scheme
For years, Williams used the hedge fund management company as part of a Ponzi scheme. He convinced victims to invest $3.6 million in Guardian Opportunity Management and used their money to repay investors from discontinued funds that he previously managed and settle civil lawsuits accusing him of fraud.
Between February 2016 and July 2017, Williams and Highguard Capital sold more than $1.8 million of securities interests to investors in Guardian Opportunity Management. Between March 2016 and at least October 2022, he and Guardian Opportunity Management solicited and obtained at least $16 million from investors using false performance returns.
One of the victims is a woman from Mississippi, USA. In February 2021 and March 2021, Williams convinced her to invest $1,005,000 into Guardian Opportunity Management.
Unbeknownst to the woman, Guardian Opportunity Management’s principal investment vehicle Guardian Opportunity Fund had recently lost 90% of its assets under management. Williams used her money to repay other investors in Guardian Opportunity Management, who were threatening to sue him.
On October 18, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to wire fraud. On April 19, 2024, he was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
CONAN Daily 