FBI searches for fugitive fraudster Bernhard Fritsch, seen in Mexico after defrauding 26 million

The FBI has asked the public for help in finding the whereabouts of a fugitive convicted in Los Angeles (California) for defrauding millions of dollars with an alleged application that would help celebrities and influencers monetize sponsorships and that was last seen in Mexico.

Bernhard Eugen Fritsch, 65, founder of the company StarSite, was included on the FBI's most wanted scammer list.

The fugitive was sentenced last year for defrauding investors of more than $26 million between 2014 and 2017, after lying to them about the financial performance of his company.

Fritsch convinced the victims to invest in his company's app which he claimed would help his clients increase their earnings on their social media accounts.

It also claimed that the app could distribute advertising content and share advertising revenue with the celebrity who posted the content.

To convince his investors, he stated that he was about to close commercial agreements and purchase offers from important media companies, such as Disney.

Instead of using investors' money to develop the promised technology, Fritsch used much of the funds to maintain his lavish lifestyle, which included purchasing luxury cars like a McLaren and a Rolls-Royce, upgrading his yacht, and renovating his Malibu mansion.

A Los Angeles jury found Fritsch guilty in April 2025, and he was released on probation while awaiting sentencing. The man fled to Los Mochis, Sinaloa (Mexico), in June 2025, the FBI said in a statement.

Patrick Grandy, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office, warned that Southern California "is a ripe environment" for scammers.