Victoria police say an investment dealer and former Canadian Olympic rower who had been missing for nearly a year and a half has turned himself in.
Harold Backer disappeared on Nov. 3, 2015 when he failed to return home after telling his family he was going out for a bike ride.
Soon after, financial crime investigators began looking into Backer and the company My Financial Backer Corporation after his investors received concerning letters.
B次元官网网址淗e appeared at our police station yesterday. He walked in of his own accord,B次元官网网址� Victoria police spokesman Matt Rutherford said Friday.
Rutherford, however, said he had no idea where Backer has been since he disappeared in 2015.
Backer, 52, was held in custody overnight. He has had a telebail hearing and is facing two counts of fraud over $5,000. Rutherford said he could not elaborate on the specifics of the allegations against Backer.
Harold Backer, the subject of a 2015 missing person release, has been located and is safe.The search for 52-year-old...
Posted by on
Mutual Funds company Investia Financial Services Inc. terminated BackerB次元官网网址檚 licence after his disappearance, stating heB次元官网网址檇 failed to follow its policies and procedures that required him to disclose all outside business activities.
After his disappearance, police in Port Angeles, Wash., said an officer who viewed video from a street security camera noted a man fitting BackerB次元官网网址檚 description was aboard a ferry from Victoria, a 90-minute trip away.
B次元官网网址淚 know that the last reported sighting of him was the video footage of him just getting off the ferry to Port Angeles. WeB次元官网网址檙e not sure where he went after that,B次元官网网址� Rutherford said.
Police said Backer remains in custody and expected to appear in court again on April 18th
Backer, who competed in rowing in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, had 20 clients with Investia.
Investia said after BackerB次元官网网址檚 disappearance it had contacted all of the affected clients, that money related to their registered accounts was intact and they were issued regular statements.
Investia said some clients confirmed they had other dealings with Backer on the side.
Backer had been a representative for Investia since June 2005. The company said it had received no complaints from his clients.
Rutherford said BackerB次元官网网址檚 family has been notified that he has turned himself in.
Police said the fraud investigation is continuing.
B次元官网网址淥ur investigators worked well into the early parts of the morning today and will continue to work throughout the weekend for the Tuesday court appearance,B次元官网网址� Rutherford said.
The Canadian Press
