(The Epoch Times)—Eight foreign nationals suspected of running a global insider trading network that generated tens of millions of dollars in illicit profits are facing charges of securities fraud and money laundering in the United States, federal prosecutors announced Nov. 18 in Boston.
Federal authorities claim three of the suspects were leaders of the insider trading network, which operated from 2016 to 2024. Many of the illegal trades allegedly took place over an automated exchange in Massachusetts.
The leaders allegedly recruited investment bankers and other corporate insiders who had access to nonpublic information about the financial performance and merger-and-acquisition activity of publicly traded companies, according to court documents.
“These eight men are accused of engaging in a global con—trading on material, nonpublic information stolen from companies to score millions of dollars for themselves,” said Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston field office. “We believe everything these men did, including their alleged attempts to conceal their crimes, show a willful disregard for the law.”
The defendants are Samy Fadi Khouadja, 45, of France and the United Arab Emirates; Eamma Safi, 38, of the United Arab Emirates and Germany; Zhi Ge, 34, of Singapore; Christophe Dong, 41, of France and Hong Kong; Julien Liu, 35, of France and Hong Kong; Patrick Chou, 38, of France and Hong Kong; Cheuk Yue Lee, 43, of Hong Kong; and Dev Ananth Durai, 39, of Singapore.
Prosecutors say Khouadja, Safi, and Ge were the network leaders who recruited insiders and paid them for information. The three also recruited a network of traders in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Prosecutors say they also leaked information to journalists and news outlets to profit on securities trades following publication of their stories.
Authorities allege that the network of traders—which included Dong, Liu, Chou, Lee, and Durai—agreed to kick back a percentage of the profits to the three leaders. Prosecutors claim the payments were made in cash transfers and third-party payments, and by using shell companies and sham loans and invoices.
Safi is in U.S. custody and Ge was provisionally arrested in Singapore on July 3, 2024. His extradition proceedings are pending. The other defendants are considered fugitives.
All eight defendants are charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud, plus one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Safi and Ge—charged in April 24 and indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in July 2024—are also charged with one count of money laundering, according to the indictment.
The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud allows for judges to impose a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.
If convicted of a securities fraud charge, defendants also face a maximum 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release, but a fine of up to $5 million.
The indictment charges each defendant with one count of money laundering conspiracy, which has a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.