Canadian Regulator Targets Surrey Man over Alleged Gambling-Fueled Investment Fraud
Surrey Entrepreneur Accused of Misleading Investors
The securities regulator in British Columbia has brought allegations against a Surrey-based businessman for deceiving investors and misusing much of the investment funds on gambling and personal expenses. This case highlights the ongoing concerns around gambling-related fraud, which has appeared in various forms before, underscoring the need for caution when trusting others with financial investments.
Promises of High Returns to Investors
According to a recent hearing notice, the BC Securities Commission (BCSC) has charged 42-year-old D.L.P. with fraud. Between 2021 and 2022, he raised over $200,000 from 14 different investors through his sole proprietorship. The accused reportedly offered profit-sharing deals, assuring quick returns to his clients.
D.L.P. claimed that the funds would be directed towards fulfilling merchandise contracts, involving the procurement and customization of branded items for business clients. However, investigations reveal that roughly $146,000 of the money was instead spent on gambling websites, personal expenses, and payments to others. This amount represents nearly 75% of the total investment capital he collected.
The commission further claims that D.L.P. failed to provide the promised profits to the investors, constituting fraud under provincial securities laws. He is scheduled to attend an initial hearing on November 18, 2025, but has not publicly responded to the allegations. Should he fail to appear, the hearing will proceed without him, and the claims remain unproven at this stage.
Rising Incidents of Gambling-Related Fraud
This case is part of a growing trend of gambling-linked fraud accusations worldwide. Recently, a group of Chinese investors filed a $13.4 million lawsuit in New York, claiming they were misled into funding a casino resort in the Northern Mariana Islands. A decade later, the casino and hotel have yet to materialize, and no repayment plan has been offered.
Gambling-related fraud is not limited to large-scale business ventures. In Alberta, a man was sentenced to an indefinite prison term after spending years defrauding women he met online. By gaining their trust, he convinced them to lend him money, which he largely lost through gambling, causing severe financial and emotional damage.
The BCSC is continuing its investigation into D.L.P., and if convicted, he could face substantial fines, prohibition from capital markets, and possibly imprisonment. Regulators warn that such fraudulent schemes often leverage urgency and close relationships to lower victims’ defenses, prompting hasty and ill-advised financial decisions.
