Tag Archives: Boca Raton Securities Fraud Lawyers
SEC Puts a Stop to Colorado-Based Pyramid Scheme
If you are considering investing with a company that feels the need to proclaim, “We are not a pyramid scheme,” you may, in fact, be dealing with a pyramid (or Ponzi) scheme. Investors in one Colorado-based company probably wish they had considered that possibility as federal securities regulators recently moved in on the firm… Read More »
Canadian Jury Convicts Two Men for Running $400 Million Ponzi Scheme
On Feb. 14, a jury in Calgary, Alberta convicted Gary Sorenson and Milowe Brost of securities fraud for their role in what has been described as the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history. Prosecutors for the Canadian Crown presented evidence Sorenson and Brost defrauded more than 3,000 people, including a number of U.S. residents,… Read More »
SEC, New York Charge Hedge Fund Manager With Fraud
On Feb. 13, New York officials arrested and charged Moazzam Ifzal Malik, also known as Mark Malik, with 28 felony counts arising from his operation of what federal and state officials allege is a fraudulent hedge fund. Malik is the CEO and fund manager of Wolf Hedge Investment Management, an entity the authorities claim… Read More »
SEC Warns Investors Not to Fall for “Prime Bank” Scams
Securities fraud frequently involves misleading potential investors by using complicated-sounding language. After all, the more complex the investment sounds, the more likely it is to earn enormous profits, right? At least that is what the perpetrators of the fraud want you to believe. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has identified a number of… Read More »
SEC Advises Brokers, Investors on Risks of Hacking and Other “Cyber” Attacks
“Cybersecurity” is a major issue that affects many large, publicly traded companies. Recently Anthem, Inc., the nation’s second-largest health insurer, reported a major breach of its security. Hackers managed to acquire personal data—Social Security numbers, telephone numbers, addresses, et cetera—on millions of Anthem customers. This attack comes just a couple weeks after President Obama… Read More »
Understanding the FINRA Arbitration Process
What happens when there is a dispute between you and your investment broker? When you open a brokerage account, you typically sign some sort of customer agreement. This agreement usually contains language requiring arbitration to resolve any disagreement or dispute arising from your account. But what does “arbitration” actually mean? Arbitration and FINRA Arbitration… Read More »
Miami Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea from Precious Metals Scam Operator
Federal prosecutors recently uncovered yet another precious metals scam. On January 9th, 2015, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Miami announced a plea agreement with Christopher Anzalone, a California resident who confessed to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars with false promises of profits trading in gold, platinum and other precious metals. Anzalone faces… Read More »
SEC Charges Fort Lauderdale Broker With Running Ponzi Scheme
On January 15th, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against a Fort Lauderdale man and various entities under his control. The SEC accuses Frederic Elm of running a Ponzi scheme, defrauding dozens of investors out of more than $17 million. A federal judge has already agreed to freeze Elm’s assets… Read More »
Judge Allows SEC Case Against Accused Oil & Gas Scam to Proceed
On December 31, 2014, a federal judge in Dallas denied a motion to dismiss a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint against a Texas man accused of defrauding investors out of nearly $10 million. SEC v. Couch The defendant, Charles Couch, owns Couch Oil & Gas, Inc. (COG) According to the SEC’s complaint, Couch and… Read More »
Precious Metals Just as Risky as Other Investments
Gold, silver and other precious metals are often considered “safe” investments relative to stocks and securities. But there is no such thing as a no-risk investment. Precious metals are subject to price fluctuations like any other investment. More importantly, not all precious metal investments are the same. Often, people purchase gold and silver through… Read More »