FBI Adds Tech CEO To Most Wanted List, Offers ₹1.32 Crore Reward

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has added tech CEO Bernhard Eugen Fritsch to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list. Fritsch, the founder and CEO of StarClub, is accused of defrauding investors after raising approximately $35 million for the company between January 2014 and August 2017.

Fritsch claimed that StarClub had developed software and an app to help celebrities and social media influencers monetize brand endorsements. However, according to the FBI, he misrepresented the company's financial performance and claimed to have deals with major global media and entertainment companies to induce investments.

At least $7.3 million of investor money was allegedly diverted to Fritsch's personal expenses, including mortgage payments, residential costs, and luxury vehicles. Fritsch was found guilty of wire fraud in a California court in April 2025.

In June 2025, ahead of a bond revocation hearing, Fritsch fled to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, in Mexico. A federal arrest warrant was subsequently issued on June 3, 2025, by the US District Court, Central District of California, after he failed to appear for his Post-Conviction Bond Revocation Hearing.

Mexican law enforcement detained Fritsch in September 2025, at which point he was found carrying false identification. He was released from immigration custody and ordered to check in with Mexico's immigration court every two weeks, but on October 6, 2025, he fled again, this time to Munich, Germany.

On October 20, 2025, Fritsch was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison, fined $35,000, and later ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution. The FBI believes he is currently residing in or near Munich.

Fritsch has used several aliases, including Bernhard Fritsch, Bernhard E. Fritsch, Barnhard Eugen Fritsch, and Charles Wiest. He was born on July 27, 1961, in Landshut, Germany, and is described as a white male, 6'2 inches, roughly 220 pounds, with gray/brown hair and brown eyes.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 (approximately ₹1.32 crore) for information leading to Fritsch's arrest and conviction. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI's toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), a local FBI office, the nearest US Embassy or Consulate, or to submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

The case is being handled out of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. The addition of Fritsch to the Most Wanted Fraudsters list highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat white-collar crime and bring perpetrators to justice.

The FBI's Most Wanted list is a tool used to alert the public to fugitives who are considered to be a high priority for capture. The list includes individuals who have been charged with or convicted of serious crimes, including murder, terrorism, and financial crimes.

In this case, Fritsch's alleged crimes have resulted in significant financial losses for investors, and his flight from justice has made it necessary for the FBI to seek the public's assistance in locating him. The reward offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction is a testament to the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies view his crimes.

As the investigation into Fritsch's activities continues, it is likely that more information will come to light about the extent of his alleged crimes and the impact they have had on investors. For now, the FBI is focused on bringing Fritsch to justice and holding him accountable for his alleged actions.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and due diligence in investment dealings, and the need for investors to be cautious when dealing with companies and individuals who promise unusually high returns or make unsubstantiated claims about their products or services.

In conclusion, the addition of Bernhard Eugen Fritsch to the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat white-collar crime and bring perpetrators to justice. The public's assistance is crucial in locating Fritsch and bringing him to justice, and the reward offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction is a testament to the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies view his alleged crimes.