At first, it sounded like a good investment opportunity. Now more than $200,000 is gone.
This story goes back to April 1, when Dr. Rodney Mark Dixon of El Dorado received a cold call from a man who said his name was George Peterson of El Paso, Texas. Peterson told Dixon he was a broker and agent of Trading Ventures Group LLP of Austin, Texas, according to a lawsuit filed last month in Union County Circuit Court by Christopher A. McNulty and Allison E. Raley of Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard.
Peterson told Dixon about a “profitable opportunity investing in futures, specifically gold commodities.” Peterson promised “huge returns” based on his knowledge and investment strategy, the suit said.
The family practitioner reviewed the company’s website and later sent Peterson a check for $10,000. At Peterson’s instruction, Dixon made the check out to Capital Ventures Group LLC of Addison, Texas.
Dixon continued to send money and by Sept. 23 had invested $200,000.
Dixon said he monitored his investment account through the company’s client portal and at the beginning of October, the account showed a profit of $81,000.
On Oct. 5, Peterson called Dixon and “demanded” an additional $25,000, the suit. Dixon said he wasn’t interested in making more investments.
But Peterson kept pushing, the suit said. Dixon then said he wanted to liquidate his investment. Peterson refused, the suit said.
Dixon later checked his account, which listed the value of his investment at $953. “Clearly, Dr. Dixon’s account was drained after he requested his account be liquidated,” the suit said.
He is suing Capital Ventures, Trading Ventures and Peterson over allegations that include fraud and taking his $200,000.
Capital Ventures and Trading Ventures didn’t immediately return a message. And a contact number could not be found for Peterson.
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