Repeat fraudster who operated a massive Belize real estate scam has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after defrauding victims of millions

New York – A California man with a long history of financial crimes has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for masterminding a massive real estate scam that cheated retirees and other investors out of tens of millions of dollars.

Andris Pukke, 56, of Newport Beach, California, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken after a jury convicted him of wire fraud and obstruction of justice in July 2024. Prosecutors described Pukke as a repeat fraudster who hid behind false identities while siphoning money from investors who believed they were purchasing property in a high-end development in Belize.

The scheme, known as “Sanctuary Belize,” promised buyers the chance to build retirement or vacation homes in a luxury community. In reality, the project was riddled with debt, riddled with lies, and, according to investigators, little more than a vehicle for Pukke to enrich himself.

“Hundreds of hard-working Americans—many of them retirees—lost their savings to this brazen fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Andris Pukke thought he could hide behind foreign land deals and false names, but he was wrong. This sentence removes a bad actor and serves as a warning to other would-be fraudsters.”

A Pattern Of Deception

Court documents show that Pukke was no stranger to deceptive schemes. Years before Sanctuary Belize, he had already been convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice in connection with a separate company called AmeriDebt, a supposed nonprofit credit counseling service that was found to be deceptive. That case ended with a $172 million judgment against him from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Despite that history, Pukke found new victims through the Belize project. Prosecutors said he understood that investors would never trust him if they knew his real background. To conceal his role, he directed sales staff to lie and used aliases such as “Marc Romeo” and “Andy Storm” when promoting the development.

Buyers were told their money would directly fund construction and that Sanctuary Belize was financially secure. In truth, the project carried more than $12 million in debt. Behind the scenes, Pukke was funneling nearly $10 million into his own pockets, using it to buy and renovate a waterfront property, cover personal loans, invest in startups, pay child support, and even purchase land in the Bahamas.

A Community Built On Empty Promises

The Sanctuary Belize development was marketed as a dream destination: a sprawling vacation and retirement community in Central America where Americans could retire in comfort. Investors were assured they could build homes or hold their lots as valuable assets for the future.

But for most, the dream never materialized. Victims wrote nearly 200 letters to the court ahead of sentencing, describing devastating financial losses and shattered plans. Some explained that they had used life savings or retirement funds to purchase land, only to realize years later that they would never see the promised community completed.

Read also: RIT gap year fellows find their innovator groove as they transform bold ideas into real world projects with support from mentors and funding

The losses added up quickly. While Pukke and his associates convinced buyers to invest more than $100 million, the court determined that roughly $77 million in fraud-related losses were borne by victims.

Efforts To Derail The Investigation

As prosecutors built their case, Pukke also attempted to obstruct the investigation. Authorities said he tried to persuade another person to create a false document that he hoped could be presented to a grand jury to derail the probe. The effort failed, and the jury ultimately convicted him on charges of both wire fraud and obstruction.

Harsh Penalties And Restitution

Along with his prison sentence, Judge Oetken ordered Pukke to forfeit $9.9 million in assets linked to the scheme. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Separate from the criminal case, the FTC had already obtained a $120.2 million restitution order against Pukke for Sanctuary Belize victims, underscoring the scale of the financial harm caused by the project.

Prosecutors noted that Pukke’s sentencing should serve as a deterrent to others who believe they can evade U.S. laws by running fraudulent operations overseas.

Praise For Investigators

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Clayton credited federal investigators with unraveling the complex web of lies surrounding the scheme. “This sentence removes a bad actor and serves as a warning to other would-be fraudsters,” he said.

He specifically acknowledged the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led the inquiry, and thanked the Federal Trade Commission for its assistance.

Read also: Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces a $4.2 million initiative that will expand affordable high speed broadband internet access to low income Rochester households and small businesses

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman, James McMahon, and Kevin Mead of the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.

A Warning For Future Investors

The case of Sanctuary Belize underscores how fraudsters often exploit people’s dreams of retirement security. By selling visions of beachfront living and international investment, scammers can lure victims into trusting them with substantial sums. Prosecutors said Pukke’s operation was a stark reminder that flashy promises can hide deep deception.

For the hundreds of victims—many now facing financial uncertainty in their retirement years—the sentence offers some measure of justice, though it cannot replace the money lost.

Pukke, now in his late fifties, will serve his time in federal prison while victims wait for restitution through the lengthy legal process. For prosecutors, regulators, and judges, the case was about more than punishing one man—it was also about sending a message that international real estate fraud will not go unchallenged.