Real estate licensee suspended for failing to cooperate with BCFSA investigation into possible fraud

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Afsaneh Zarshenas faces a six-month suspension and enforcement expenses for failing to cooperate with BCFSA’s investigation into her alleged involvement in a possible investment scheme.

BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) has issued a six-month licence suspension to real estate licensee Afsaneh Zarshenas (also known as Afsi Dashti) for failing or refusing to cooperate with its investigation into her alleged involvement in a possible investment scheme. Zarshenas must also pay $9,235.28 in enforcement expenses.

On April 5, 2025, BCFSA sent Zarshenas an investigation letter regarding allegations that she obtained investor funds by claiming she would finance short-term loans and mortgages with high returns, then later stopped making interest payments, and failed to return the original investments. Despite repeated attempts by BCFSA over the course of several months to obtain information from Zarshenas, she failed to provide all of the information BCFSA required to investigate the complaints.

Accordingly, BCFSA issued a Notice of Discipline Hearing for Zarshenas’ professional misconduct for failing to provide all the information requested by BCFSA investigators as required under the Real Estate Services Act and the Real Estate Services Rules.

“Failing to cooperate with an investigation constitutes professional misconduct and creates barriers that impact our ability to conduct investigations,” said Jon Vandall, Senior Vice President of Financial Professionals at BCFSA. “Committing professional misconduct can lead to serious consequences such as licence suspensions or cancellations.”

Zarshenas’ licence is currently suspended as a result of not complying with a 2025 consent order, and the suspension will remain until she pays the required $50,000 discipline penalty. The six-month suspension will take effect immediately after the current suspension order is lifted.

This penalty only relates to Zarshenas’ failure or refusal to cooperate with BCFSA’s investigation. The underlying allegations are unproven and BCFSA’s investigation is ongoing.

Media Contact:

Kate Bilney
Communications Manager, media@bcfsa.ca
Visit: www.bcfsa.ca