A group of retirees ambushed financial advisor James Amburn, 56, outside his home in Speyer, Germany. The group attacked him and put him into the trunk of a car. "It took them quite a while because they ran out of breath," said Amburn, who was then driven to one of their homes where he was held prisoner. They were angry because Amburn had lost approximately $3.6 million of their investments--mostly Florida real estate investments.
Amburn, a financial advisor from Digital Global Net alleges, he was chained up "like an animal," burned with cigarettes, beaten and had two of his ribs broken with a chair leg. "I was struck. Again and again they threatened to kill me. The fear of death was indescribable. I never thought I would make it out alive," recounted Amburn.
Amburn was held captive for four days. Amburn said he told his attackers that he could get their money back if he sold certain securities in Switzerland, but would have to send a fax to a bank. They allowed him to send a fax. Amburn wrote a message on the bottom of the paper for the bank to notify the police.
The Swiss bank telephoned German police and rescued Amburn. The retirees, ranging in age from 61 to 80, now face charges of kidnapping, torture, and grievous bodily harm. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prision. When the arrest took place, a physician had to be on hand to help his captors into police vans because of their various physical conditions.
Securities Lawyer, Lars K. Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, has represented clients nationwide. If you or a family member have sustained investment losses due to your stock broker or financial advisor’s recommendations, call for a free consultation on how to potentially recover your losses. To speak with an attorney call 888-760-6552, or visit our website at: https://www.securitieslawyer.com.
Soreide Law Group, PLLC., representing investors nationwide before FINRA the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Steven Graham (CRD 1977736) denies the allegations in a pending customer claim filed on August 11, 2026. The disclosure names Western International Securities as the firm, and the claim involves corporate bonds. No arbitrator has ruled on it. His BrokerCheck report also lists a settled bond dispute and a federal court matter from earlier years.
A claim filed on September 11, 2024 names Thomas Hamlin (CRD 2208505) over a 10% Senior Unsecured Note in iCap Fund III. Every disclosure on his BrokerCheck report involves an iCap private placement and names Somerset Securities as the firm. Each one settled, and a settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.
Peter Po's most recent settlement came on June 28, 2026, when a corporate bond claim settled for $40,000. Po (CRD 3106974) appears in several settled customer disputes over corporate and high-yield bonds. The disclosures name NI Advisors or California Securities as the firm, and each matter ended in a settlement, not a finding.
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