German Entrepreneur Wanja Oberhof Arrested in New York on $2.5M Fraud Charges

Wanja Oberhof, a 40-year-old German entrepreneur, sits in Brooklyn detention after his arrest on September 20 on federal fraud charges. Prosecutors say he convinced Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, to invest $2.5 million in the Healing Company, a wellness startup, then embezzled most of the funds for personal use. Oberhof faces charges of wire fraud and document forgery in the Southern District of New York.

How the scheme unfolded

Oberhof and Kleinfeld, both German nationals, met through a mutual friend and reconnected in New York in 2023. Oberhof pitched Kleinfeld on investing in the Healing Company, which had just acquired Deepak Chopra’s meditation app and wellness product line in a deal struck in March 2023. Kleinfeld invested $2.5 million, believing the funds would support the startup’s operations and growth.

Where the money actually went

Instead of funding the Healing Company as promised, prosecutors say Oberhof diverted most of the $2.5 million to personal expenses and offshore accounts. Approximately $25,000 paid rent on his Manhattan penthouse, which cost nearly $20,000 per month. Over $57,000 went to pay down a personal loan. The bulk of the stolen funds, roughly $1.8 million, was transferred to one of Oberhof’s foreign accounts. Oberhof allegedly forged documents to conceal his theft.

The Healing Company and Chopra’s exit

The Healing Company, co-founded by Oberhof and his wife Anabel Oelmann, a former model and CBD oil company owner, brought Deepak Chopra on as chief scientific advisor in 2022. The startup acquired Chopra’s consumer products, meditation app, and licensed retreat offerings in March 2023. However, Chopra Global terminated the deal in July 2024 and severed all ties with the Healing Company and its affiliates.

Detention and investigation

Oberhof has been held in custody since Monday in Brooklyn. Prosecutors set bail at $2 million. The New York District Attorney’s office, specifically its unit for complex fraud and cybercrime, is leading the investigation. Kleinfeld’s legal team confirmed his identity as the defrauded investor and said he contacted US authorities. Oberhof is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Final Thoughts

The arrest of Oberhof marks a sharp fall from his image as a successful wellness entrepreneur. The case highlights the risks investors face when backing startups with high-profile advisors but weak financial controls.

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