Tech CEO added to FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list; what 'Lookout' notice says
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. 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. The FBI says Fritsch fled the United States before he could be sentenced, later travelling from Mexico to Germany. 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 “Lookout” notice provides details about his case, the charges against him and his movements after leaving the US.
Here’s what FBI’s lookout notice for Bernhard Eugen Fritsch saysDESCRIPTION
Aliases: Bernhard Fritsch , Bernhard E. Fritsch, Barnhard Eugen Fritsch, Charles Wiest
Date(s) of Birth Used: July 27, 1961
Place of Birth: Landshut, Germany
Hair: Gray / Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220 pounds
Sex: Male
Race: White
Nationality: German
Languages: English, German
REWARD
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Bernhard Eugen Fritsch.
REMARKS
Fritsch is believed to be residing in or near Munich, Germany.
CAUTION
Bernhard Eugen Fritsch is wanted for his alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud investors after raising approximately $35 million for Fritsch’s technology company, Starclub Inc. between January of 2014, and August of 2017. Starclub purportedly developed software and an application to help celebrities and social media influencers monetize their brand endorsements. Fritsch claimed to have deals with major global media and entertainment companies and misrepresented StarClub’s financial performance to induce investments. At least $7.3 million of investor money was used to fund Fritsch’s personal expenses such as mortgage payments, residential expenses, and luxury vehicles. In April of 2025, Fritsch was found guilty of wire fraud in a California court.
In June of 2025, prior to a bond revocation hearing, Fritsch fled to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
On June 3, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Fritsch in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California, after he failed to appear for his Post-Conviction Bond Revocation Hearing.
In September of 2025, Mexican law enforcement detained Fritsch, who was found with false identification. He was released from immigration custody and ordered to check in with the immigration court in Mexico every 2 weeks. However, on October 6, 2025, Fritsch fled to Munich, Germany. On October 20, 2025, Fritsch was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, fined $35,000, and was later ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI's Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Field Office: Los Angeles
Here’s what FBI’s lookout notice for Bernhard Eugen Fritsch saysDESCRIPTION
Aliases: Bernhard Fritsch , Bernhard E. Fritsch, Barnhard Eugen Fritsch, Charles Wiest
Date(s) of Birth Used: July 27, 1961
Place of Birth: Landshut, Germany
Hair: Gray / Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220 pounds
Sex: Male
Race: White
Nationality: German
Languages: English, German
REWARD
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Bernhard Eugen Fritsch.
REMARKS
Fritsch is believed to be residing in or near Munich, Germany.
CAUTION
Bernhard Eugen Fritsch is wanted for his alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud investors after raising approximately $35 million for Fritsch’s technology company, Starclub Inc. between January of 2014, and August of 2017. Starclub purportedly developed software and an application to help celebrities and social media influencers monetize their brand endorsements. Fritsch claimed to have deals with major global media and entertainment companies and misrepresented StarClub’s financial performance to induce investments. At least $7.3 million of investor money was used to fund Fritsch’s personal expenses such as mortgage payments, residential expenses, and luxury vehicles. In April of 2025, Fritsch was found guilty of wire fraud in a California court.
In June of 2025, prior to a bond revocation hearing, Fritsch fled to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
On June 3, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Fritsch in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California, after he failed to appear for his Post-Conviction Bond Revocation Hearing.
In September of 2025, Mexican law enforcement detained Fritsch, who was found with false identification. He was released from immigration custody and ordered to check in with the immigration court in Mexico every 2 weeks. However, on October 6, 2025, Fritsch fled to Munich, Germany. On October 20, 2025, Fritsch was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, fined $35,000, and was later ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI's Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Field Office: Los Angeles
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