The image stung. A photograph surfaced showing Ryan Rumble, accused in an alleged $11-million fraud, enjoying a round of golf at a luxurious Dubai course owned by Donald Trump. For those who claim to have lost their savings through his company, the picture felt like a cruel mockery.
Emily Hime, one of those investors, expressed deep disappointment. Seeing Rumble seemingly living a lavish life, frequenting exclusive clubs, directly contradicted his claims of working abroad to recover lost funds. The image fueled a growing sense of betrayal.
Brock Tedford echoed Hime’s sentiment, describing the situation as disheartening. The casual display of wealth, publicly documented on the golf club’s social media, felt particularly insensitive given the alleged financial ruin left in Rumble’s wake.
Rumble, along with two former Banknote Capital directors, Michael Dziedzic and Justin Foss, faces fraud charges exceeding $5,000. Authorities allege that between 2020 and 2023, investors were lured with promises of high returns and guaranteed principal, only to have their money diverted for personal use.
While Dziedzic and Foss surrendered to authorities, Rumble fled to Dubai approximately two years ago and remains the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant. He also faces charges related to a forged document, adding another layer to the complex legal battle.
During a recent court appearance via video link from Dubai, Rumble asserted his intention to rectify the situation and repay investors. He maintained that Dubai offered the only viable opportunity to generate the necessary funds.
A $5-million civil lawsuit filed by Hime led to a court order freezing Banknote’s assets in 2023. Court records reveal Dziedzic has filed a defense, but Rumble and Foss have yet to respond, leaving unanswered questions about their involvement.
The case has uncovered a troubling connection to Aiden Pleterski, the so-called “crypto king,” who is accused of misappropriating $41.5 million from investors. Banknote Capital reportedly invested $3.9 million with Pleterski, based on contracts promising a 70-30 split of profits and guaranteed principal repayment.
Pleterski allegedly spent millions on extravagant purchases – exotic cars, private jets – while investing only a small fraction of the funds. Recoveries from his accounts have been minimal, leaving many investors facing substantial losses.
The Ontario Securities Commission declined to comment on Rumble’s golf outing, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. However, Hime remains resolute, expressing a belief in accountability and the eventual triumph of justice. She trusts that, in time, the truth will prevail.
For Hime, and others like her, the image of Rumble on the golf course isn’t just about a game; it’s a symbol of a broken trust and a fight for what was lost.
