The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Tilila Siola‘a Walker, the Tongan woman charged in 2023 over an alleged mulit-million Ponzi‑style investment scheme, is now scheduled to stand trial on 1 March 2027.
The clarification followed Kaniva Tonga News’ request for an update and its alert to U.S. authorities that Walker is now linked to promoting BG Wealth Sharing, a scheme officially branded a “scam” by financial regulators in both Tonga and New Zealand.
In its official response, the U.S. Office said it had forwarded Kaniva Tonga News’ information to the attorneys currently managing the matter, but stressed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is bound by a strict communications policy that prevents it from commenting on any potential new investigations.
In an email to this outlet, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote:
“As you may know, the policy of the U.S. Department of Justice is to neither confirm or deny an investigation, so I cannot say whether or not there is an investigation into any current happenings.”
This means that U.S. federal prosecutors will not publicly state whether they are examining new claims or recent developments connected to Walker, including any additional schemes she is alleged to be promoting.
However, in a significant development in Walker’s 2023 Ponzi‑scheme case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed:
“Ms. Walker’s trial is now scheduled for March 1, 2027, a year away. This is to give the defense the time to prepare for trial.”
Investor Funds Spent on Casino Trips and Shopping
U.S. regulators allege that Walker (also known as Tilila Walker Sumchai) orchestrated a major Ponzi‑style investment scheme that defrauded members of the Tongan American community across the United States.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Walker raised approximately US $11.8 million from more than 1,000 investors between January and October 2021 through a fraudulent securities offering.
The SEC’s complaint states that Walker promoted an investment she named “Tongi Tupe,” claiming she used a secret algorithm that guaranteed extremely high returns.
Investigators say she first targeted respected Tongan American community leaders, paying them unusually large returns to build trust and legitimacy. These leaders, believing the scheme was genuine, then hosted meetings and promoted Tongi Tupe to broader groups within the community.
According to the SEC, Walker promised impossible profits, including claims that a US $3,000 investment would return US $146,000 in just 16 weeks. In reality, the SEC alleges that Tongi Tupe produced no legitimate investment returns.
Instead, Walker operated a classic Ponzi scheme, using money from new investors to pay earlier participants. The complaint further alleges that she diverted investor funds for personal expenses, including casino trips, travel, and shopping.
Kaniva News understands that Tongans in New Zealand and Australia—particularly members and affiliates of the Tonga Democratic Party (PTOA)—were heavily invested in the scheme, as Walker was one of the prominent figures within the diaspora group at the time.
The SEC filed civil charges against Walker in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, accusing her of violating multiple U.S. securities laws, including anti‑fraud provisions and rules prohibiting the sale of unregistered securities.
Regulators are seeking permanent injunctions, a conduct‑based injunction, disgorgement of profits, civil monetary penalties, and an order barring Walker from serving as an officer or director of any company.
FBI Urges Potential Tongi Tupe Victims to Come Forward
In its 2023 public notice, the FBI urged anyone who believes they were affected by Walker’s Tongi Tupe investment program to come forward and assist federal authorities.
The Bureau said it is legally required to identify victims in fraud cases and asked potential victims to complete an official questionnaire, noting that the information provided may help the investigation and allow agents to contact individuals for further details.
The FBI stressed that responses are voluntary but important for determining the scope of the alleged fraud.
