HOUSTON - A 40-year-old Katy resident has admitted to his role in a scheme to defraud dozens of victims of over $17 million, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Christopher Knight Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

From May 2015 to January 2025, he and his brother, Jayson Lopez, conspired with others to defraud their clients by providing false information about the companies in which the clients invested. They used forged bank letters and fabricated account statements to mislead investors about the companies' financial strength.

They operated under several LLCs, to include Knight Nguyen Investments, Knight Advisory and Planning, Aevum Holdings Inc., Exempt Management LLC, and Ping An Financial Services Pte.

The Lopez brothers misappropriated their clients' funds for personal use and to pay purported returns to other investors to mislead their clients into believing their investments were profitable.

Christopher and Jayson Lopez also admitted they falsely claimed access to $2 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds. They told their clients they could use these funds to finance their clients' businesses if the clients paid large advance fees. The brothers collected the fees from their clients but never issued the loans.

The scam resulted in an approximate loss of $17 million for over 40 victims that included senior citizens and others looking to invest their retirement savings and children's college funds, as well as local and international businesses.

"These defendants turned an investment firm into their own personal piggy bank, leaving shattered futures in their wake. Christopher Knight Lopez's clients trusted him with their life savings-he rewarded that trust with lies in the form of false promises, forged documents, and fictitious assets," said Ganjei. "The Southern District of Texas can be counted upon to relentlessly pursue those who would financially prey on members of our community. Be warned; if your business model is nothing more than a scam, and your clients are nothing more than intended victims, you can expect a visit from us."

"For over a decade, Christopher Lopez shamelessly defrauded senior citizens, local businesses, close friends, and international acquaintances out of more than $17 million through deceit and lies," said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Houston Jason Hudson. "Even after being federally charged, Lopez continued to scam victims, resulting in a superseding indictment. Today's conviction is a testament to the FBI's commitment to aggressively pursue fraudulent schemes that target members of our communities, especially our senior citizens."

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for May 7. At that time, Lopez faces up to 10 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Jayson Lopez, 43, Orlando, Florida, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. He is set for sentencing April 2, 2026.

Nadir Abdel Torres 46, Mandan, North Dakota, was also charged and previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting he assisted the brothers by helping them obtain the forged letters and bank statements. He faces up to five years at his sentencing, which is set for March 12.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin R. Martin is prosecuting the case.