In a stunning development, Charlie Javice, the founder of the student-finance startup Frank, was convicted of defrauding JPMorgan Chase. Her company, which was designed to help students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), had gained significant attention in the tech and finance worlds. However, what appeared to be a successful business venture turned out to be a fraudulent scheme that resulted in a $175 million loss for one of the world’s biggest banks.
The Creation of Frank and the Fraudulent Claims
Charlie Javice, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, founded Frank with the intention of simplifying the FAFSA process for students. The platform was touted as a breakthrough tool that would ease the complicated steps of applying for financial aid. Her startup quickly gained recognition, and in 2019, she was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
However, in 2021, JPMorgan Chase acquired Frank for $175 million. At the time of the acquisition, Javice claimed that Frank had more than 4.25 million users. The bank was eager to partner with Frank to expand its reach to these users and offer financial services. But upon further investigation, JPMorgan discovered that Frank’s user base was far smaller than what had been reported—fewer than 300,000 users. This massive discrepancy raised suspicions and eventually led to a criminal investigation.
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The Fake Users and Data Manipulation
The investigation revealed that Javice had deliberately inflated the user base by creating fake users. According to court testimony, Patrick Vovor, Frank’s former engineering chief, was approached by Javice to fabricate users. When he refused, she turned to Adam Kapelner, a data scientist from her time at Wharton, to help her with the task.
Kapelner testified that he was paid $18,000 to create fake user data. He used a process that generated millions of fake users, which incorporated information from real users to make them appear legitimate. Kapelner did not initially know the exact purpose of this data manipulation, but he admitted during the trial that he created the data at Javice’s request. One example of the fraudulent data was the user “Katherine Gordy,” who had a complete profile in the system, including a home address, phone number, and email. However, when asked about this individual, Kapelner confirmed that “Ms. Gordy does not exist.”
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The Aftermath and Legal Consequences
The fraudulent claims were uncovered when JPMorgan Chase sent out an offer for banking services to the supposed 4.25 million Frank users. To their surprise, only 10 new checking account customers signed up. This low response triggered an internal investigation, which revealed the extent of the deception.
As a result, both Charlie Javice and her co-defendant, Olivier Amar, Frank’s former chief growth officer, were charged with four counts: conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud, and bank fraud. Javice and Amar were found guilty on all charges. The most serious charge, bank fraud, carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. While legal experts believe that Javice will likely receive a lesser sentence, the case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile financial fraud cases, such as the case involving Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence for defrauding investors and customers in one of the biggest financial frauds in history.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved when businesses misrepresent their success, especially when the stakes are as high as in the world of finance and startups. Javice’s conviction highlights the severe consequences of misleading investors, partners, and customers, and it underscores the importance of honesty and transparency in business practices.
