A Hilo man was arraigned Friday on federal wire fraud charges that he obtained more than $1 million from individuals by making false representations in an “advance fee” scheme. 

So far, more than 30 alleged victims have come forward on Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, and Las Vegas, according to a news release issued  by the FBI.

A federal grand jury indicted Justin Wade Smith, 32, on Wednesday in a 39-count federal indictment that was unsealed upon Smith’s arrest in Hilo Thursday. Smith pleaded not guilty to the charges at the arraignment, and trial is set Oct. 29 in federal court. Smith was detained pending a hearing Tuesday.

Florence T. Nakakuni, U.S. attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that according to the indictment, Smith engaged in a scheme to defraud involving the solicitation of money through various false representations.

According to the indictment, Smith conned individuals with two stories. In one, Smith claimed that he would inherit money from a family trust, once he paid certain fees and costs. In the other, he claimed to be a contractor or agent of a law enforcement agency and could generate large fees through seizures of contraband or cash. Smith allegedly told others that he needed to fund the law enforcement operations but would be paid out of the resulting seizures.

According to the indictment, Smith obtained more than $1 million between 2006 and 2012 from individuals on the false promise that he would repay the advances, with significant interest, either from his inheritance or from payments from the law enforcement agency.

For each wire fraud count, Smith faces a maximum 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation.

The FBI Honolulu office is asking individuals with knowledge of Smith’s activities to call the FBI’s Kona office at 329-5106.