Fritsch, the founder and CEO of Santa Monica-based StarClub Inc. , was found guilty of defrauding investors in a case involving more than $26.8 million in losses. He was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $26.8 million in restitution. The FBI is offering up to $150,000 for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.
The FBI has added Tech CEO Bernhard Eugen Fritsch to its list of Most Wanted Fraudsters list, and the agency has now issued a “Lookout” notice detailing the case against him. The FBI says Fritsch fled the United States before he could be sentenced, later travelling from Mexico to Germany. The “Lookout” notice provides details about his case, the charges against him and his movements after leaving the US.
Bernhard Fritsch Convicted of Wire Fraud in Investment Scheme
Bernhard Eugen Fritsch has been found guilty of wire fraud by a California court in April 2025. He was implicated in a scheme that defrauded investors out of approximately $35 million for his technology company, Starclub Inc., between January 2014 and August 2017.
Starclub claimed to develop software and an application designed to assist celebrities and social media influencers in monetizing brand endorsements. Fritsch falsely asserted that the company had secured deals with major global media and entertainment firms and misrepresented its financial performance to attract investments.
Investigations revealed that at least $7.3 million of the funds raised were diverted to cover Fritsch’s personal expenses, including mortgage payments, residential costs, and luxury automobiles.