Bellevue man charged in $65 million Ponzi scheme

SEATTLE – A federal grand jury has indicted three men, including one from Bellevue, in a $65 million Ponzi scheme involving oil and gas developments in Asia.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle says 48-year-old Robert Miracle was arrested at his Bellevue home Thursday on a 23-count indictment alleging conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

Also charged are two Malaysian nationals, 52-year-old Mukhtar Kechik and 32-year-old Fahimi Fisal.

Warrants have been issued for their arrests.

The indictment alleges the men operated several companies allegedly involved in oil and gas development in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Prosecutors say the companies failed to actually develop oil and gas fields.

They say $65 million was raised from investors from September 2004 to October 2007, but only $36 million was returned, using funds from later investors.