News Release

Vancouver – The BC Securities Commission (BCSC) is alleging that an Alberta resident committed a nearly $5 million fraud and made false statements under oath to Commission investigators.

Connor Sinclair Gardiner-Ingram – who at the time of the alleged misconduct lived in Comox – raised $4.6 million from dozens of investors between 2021 and 2024 on the premise that the funds would be used to invest in cryptocurrency trading bots.

Investors were told they could purportedly invest in a bot that would trade for a specific time period, and at the end of that time, they would receive profits.

Gardiner-Ingram received investors’ funds directly and through an Australian resident, who collected funds from a group of investors and forwarded them to Gardiner-Ingram to invest.

Instead, Gardiner-Ingram allegedly used the funds on items and expenses unrelated to the purposes of the investments, including travel, jewelry, luxury goods, vehicles, transfers to his family and cash withdrawals.

By doing so, the BCSC alleges that Gardiner-Ingram committed fraud under B.C.’s Securities Act.

The BCSC also alleges that Gardiner-Ingram provided false statements to Commission investigators under oath, relating to his claims about:

• the movement of funds from investors,
• another person telling him what to say to investors, 
• his cousin being the person who coded the bots, and
• having accounts or a line of credit at Silicon Valley Bank.

The BCSC’s allegations have not been proven. The Commission requires the respondent or his counsel to appear at the BCSC’s offices on September 15, 2026 if he wishes to be heard before a hearing is scheduled.

About the BC Securities Commission (bcsc.bc.ca)

The BC Securities Commission, an independent provincial government agency, strives to make the investment market benefit the public. We set rules, monitor compliance by industry, take action against misconduct, and provide guidance to investors and industry. As guardians of B.C.’s investment market, we’re committed to maintaining a market that is honest, fair, competitive and dynamic, enabling British Columbians to thrive.  

Media Contact:
Elise Palmer
604-899-6830

Public inquiries:
604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 (toll free)
inquiries@bcsc.bc.ca

Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org