888-923-9223The Securities Law Firm of Menzer & Hill, P.A. is investigating the sale of unregistered promissory notes by Robert Van Zandt and the Van Zandt Agency. Van Zandt allegedly lured investors into the Ponzi scheme by guaranteeing returns of up to 12% on these promissory notes. Through a series of shell corporations, Van Zandt allegedly operating this Ponzi scheme targeting residents of Bronx, NY, many of whom had their tax returns prepared at the Van Zandt Agency.
On September 6, 2011, while under investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office, Robert Van Zandt was found dead in his home as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.
The New York Attorney General believes that the Ponzi scheme began when the real estate market collapsed around 2008, which left Robert Van Zandt unable to pay investors the returns they had promised. As a result, Robert Van Zandt decided to raise money from investors, using the funds of the new investors to repay the old investors.