NEWARK, NJ—The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Rey E. Grabato, II. He is the second addition to the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list; a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.
On October 12, 2022, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Grabato, II in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey. Grabato is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud; Securities Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Defraud the United States with Respect to Tax.
Rey E. Grabato, II is wanted for his alleged participation in a scheme that defrauded approximately 2,000 investors, including hundreds of investors in New Jersey, of over $650 million between February of 2018 and January of 2022. Acting as the President and majority owner of National Realty Investment Advisors, LLC (NRIA), a realty investment company, Grabato, II and others allegedly misrepresented the value of NRIA’s investment fund reportedly used to acquire equity interests in companies that invested in real estate assets. Additionally, between November of 2007 and August of 2022, Grabato, II also allegedly participated in a separate scheme to obstruct, impede, and impair the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in its efforts to collect approximately $26 million in outstanding tax liabilities owed to the United States Government.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of this fugitive can submit tips at tips.fbi.gov, by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or by contacting FBI Newark at 973-792-3000.