A man facing charges in what's being called one of the most audacious frauds ever in British Columbia has been returned to Canada after he was arrested in the United States.

Ian Thow, who last week waived his right to an extradition hearing, has been handed over to Canadian authorities at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C.

Thow, who left Canada in 2005, is now waiting for his first court appearance on 25 counts of fraud over $5,000.

He was arrested last month by U.S. Marshals as he left his Portland condominium to go jogging.

In December 2007, the B.C. Securities Commission imposed a $6 million fine against Thow and banned him from the securities industry, although the fine was later reduced to $250,000.

The commission said at the time that Thow allegedly convinced people to invest in securities that did not exist and then used the money to support a lavish lifestyle.