A Toronto jury has found Aiden Pleterski guilty of fraud after hearing how he used millions in investor funds to finance luxury vehicles, private jets and an extravagant lifestyle.

Self-described Ontario “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski has been convicted of fraud over $5,000 following a trial in Ontario Superior Court. The 27-year-old was found guilty on Thursday after jurors deliberated for only a few hours. Prosecutors alleged that Pleterski collected more than $36 million from investors through his company, AP Private Equity Limited, while diverting substantial amounts toward personal spending rather than legitimate investments. The conviction follows a 16-month investigation conducted jointly by Durham Regional Police and the Ontario Securities Commission.

Throughout the trial, Crown prosecutors presented testimony from more than a dozen witnesses, including investors, accountants and financial experts. Evidence showed that Pleterski spent approximately $5.6 million on luxury vehicles, accumulated $4.9 million in credit card expenses and travelled aboard private jets. He also reportedly paid $45,000 monthly for a waterfront mansion in Burlington, Ontario. Bankruptcy proceedings revealed additional purchases, including expensive vehicles, designer clothing and luxury accessories, with some items purchased for his parents.

Pleterski represented himself during the proceedings after pleading not guilty. He cross-examined only one prosecution witness, declined to testify and presented no evidence in his defence. Prosecutors withdrew a separate money laundering charge that had been laid alongside the fraud allegation in May 2024. During closing arguments, Crown prosecutor Akshay Aurora rejected Pleterski’s self-proclaimed cryptocurrency expertise, arguing that he had deliberately deceived investors and treated their money as his own.

The prosecution maintained that Pleterski misrepresented his investment activities while spending substantial portions of the money entrusted to him. Financial records and witness testimony formed the foundation of the Crown’s case, demonstrating how investor contributions were allegedly redirected toward personal expenses. Prosecutors argued that Pleterski’s conduct reflected deliberate financial deception rather than unsuccessful cryptocurrency trading.

The guilty verdict marks a significant development in one of Durham Region’s largest fraud investigations. At the time charges were announced, Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira described the case as potentially the largest fraud investigation in the region’s history. Pleterski is scheduled to return to court on November 13th for a sentencing hearing, where the court will determine the penalty for his fraud conviction.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.