U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Litigation Release No. 20172 / June 29, 2007

Two Defendants in SEC Enforcement Action Convicted in Federal Court on Related Criminal Charges

USA v. Bunchan et al., (Criminal Action No. 06-10004-RGS) (D.Mass)

SEC v. WMDS, Inc. et al., (Civil Action No.05-12268-RCL) (D. Mass)

The Commission announced today that on June 27, 2007, James Bunchan and Seng Tan, two defendants in a previously filed Commission enforcement action, were each convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on related charges of mail fraud, conspiracy and money laundering in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme. Bunchan and Tan are scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2007. A third defendant, Christian Rochon, who was also named in the Commission's complaint, pled guilty on June 4, 2007 to related criminal charges of mail fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2007.

The Commission filed its complaint against Bunchan, Tan, Rochon and two corporate defendants, WMDS, Inc and OneUniverseOnline, Inc., on November 16, 2005, alleging that they operated a fraudulent investment scheme that targeted Cambodian immigrants and that purported to guarantee returns for future generations. The complaint alleged that the defendants emphasized their shared Cambodian heritage with their victims, and written solicitation documents drew a parallel between investing in WMDS and fulfilling the American dream, stating that WMDS "urges you to sign up now or you will miss your best chance of fulfilling your American dream." In fact, according to the complaint, the defendants were operating a fraudulent pyramid scheme and ceased making the promised monthly payments. On January 24, 2006, the Commission amended its complaint to add Bunchan's former wife as a relief defendant. The Commission's case is pending as to all defendants.

For further information, see Litigation Release No. 19464 (November 16, 2005), No. 19483 (December 5, 2005), and No. 19547 (January 30, 2006)

http://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2007/lr20172.htm