Financier Pleads Guilty to Fraud Over 'Guaranteed' High Yields

Paul Regan's investment firms promised returns of 10.5% to 15% or more, but authorities say he defrauded over 300 investors of at least $50 million.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Paul Regan, an international financier whose investment firms Yield Wealth and Next Level Holdings promised investors returns of 10.5%, 15% and higher, has pleaded guilty to three felony charges of securities fraud following a series of Wall Street Journal articles in 2024 that exposed his allegedly fraudulent activities. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan alleged that Regan defrauded more than 300 investors of at least $50 million based on 'materially false and misleading' claims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of financial fraud schemes that target unsuspecting investors with promises of outsized returns. It also underscores the importance of thorough due diligence and skepticism when evaluating any investment opportunity that seems too good to be true.

The details

According to prosecutors, Regan's firms Yield Wealth and Next Level Holdings claimed to offer 'guaranteed' high-yield investment opportunities, but in reality the funds were being used for Regan's personal expenses and to pay fake 'returns' to earlier investors in a classic Ponzi-scheme fashion.

  • Regan pleaded guilty to the charges on March 14, 2026.
  • The Wall Street Journal first reported on Regan's activities in a series of articles published in 2024.

The players

Paul Regan

An international financier whose investment firms Yield Wealth and Next Level Holdings promised investors unrealistic returns of 10.5%, 15% and higher, but were actually running a Ponzi scheme.

U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan

The prosecutors who brought the securities fraud charges against Regan, alleging he defrauded more than 300 investors of at least $50 million.

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What’s next

Regan is scheduled to be sentenced on the fraud charges in June 2026.

The takeaway

Investors must exercise extreme caution when evaluating any investment opportunity that promises unrealistic returns, and should always thoroughly research any firm or individual offering such deals to avoid falling victim to financial fraud.