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300 East Joppa Rd, Suite 305, Towson, MD 21286-3004
233 E Redwood St, Suite 1000C, Baltimore, MD 21202
1403 Gateshead Rd, Towson, MD 21286
110 Painters Mill Road, Suite 100, Owings Mills, MD 21117-3902
1415 Madison Park Dr, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
1906 Towne Centre Boulevard, Suite 265, Annapolis, MD 21401-7063
10220 South Dolfield Road, Owings Center, Suite 203, Owings Mills, MD 21117-3699
113 Cathedral St, Annapolis, MD 21401
10490 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Ste 200, Columbia, MD 21044-3312
720 Dolphin St, Baltimore, MD 21217
217 N. Charles Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201
606 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 402, Baltimore, MD 21204
137 Mitchells Chance Road, Suite 300, Edgewater, MD 21037
600 Washington Ave, Suite 201, Towson, MD 21204
1501 Sulgrave Ave, Suite 311, Baltimore, MD 21209
300 E. Lombard Street, Suite 840, Baltimore, MD 21202
1116 West Street, Suite C, Annapolis, MD 21401
606 Baltimore Ave, Suite 407, Towson, MD 21204
101 E. Chesapeake Ave, Ste. 403, Towson, MD 21286
217 North Charles Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201
500 East Pratt Street, Suite 1000, Baltimore, MD 21202
3300 North Ridge Road, Suite 245, Ellicott City, MD 21043
100 W Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 10, Towson, MD 21204
100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-1487
25 Hooks Ln, #204, Pikesville, MD 21208
Owings Mills Securities Fraud Information
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What Does the Law Say About Securities Fraud?
Securities fraud involves fraudulent misrepresentations in buying, selling, trading stock or other financial commodities. Securities fraud can also involve stock price manipulation to artificially inflate or deflate stock values. Securities fraud is a type of “white-collar crime,” which is a financially motivated, nonviolent crime.
Is Securities Fraud a Federal Crime?
Securities fraud is a federal offense, like mail fraud or wire fraud. Under securities law in the U.S. Code, it is a violation of the Securities Exchange Act to defraud any person in connection with any commodity. It is also a crime to execute a scheme to obtain money or property in connection with any stock commodity through misrepresentation, false pretenses, or fraudulent promises.
Securities fraud may also be a violation of Maryland state law. Many states have a law that mirrors the federal criminal statute. State agencies or state law enforcement may prosecute fraudulent securities practices that occur within state lines.
What Are Common Types of Securities Fraud?
Fraudulent security schemes can take a variety of forms. Common examples of securities fraud include:
- Corporate fraud
- Insider trading
- Internet fraud
- Short selling schemes
- Ponzi schemes
- Pump and dump
Corporate fraud generally involves misrepresentations made by corporate directors and executives. This may include misrepresentations or cooking the books to artificially inflate the company’s stock value. Corporate shareholders can then profit from selling the overpriced stock or selling the overvalued company. The Enron corporate fraud case is a famous example of corporate-level fraud.
A Ponzi scheme is an investment scheme where earlier investors are paid out returns out of the money from new investors. As long as the share of investors continues to increase, other investors can receive consistent profits. However, as soon as the new influx of money starts to slow down or dry up, the scheme falls apart and individual investors find out their life savings are gone.
How Does Someone Find Out About Securities Fraud?
In some cases, a financial scheme can go on for years before anyone suspects any criminal activity. Federal government agencies may suspect fraud because of suspicious financial transactions, excessive trading, or irregular tax filings. However, many securities fraud cases are reported by whistleblowers. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a whistleblower office for people to report possible fraud. Fraud may be reported by investors, employees, or even relatives who become aware of false securities claims.
Whistleblowers have an incentive to report insider trading or corporate fraud because the SEC provides monetary awards for individuals who report fraud that leads to SEC enforcement. Whistleblowers can receive up to 30% of the enforcement money collected.
Can You Go to Jail for Securities Fraud?
You can go to jail for securities fraud. Federal fraud statutes provide long prison sentences for felony fraud. Under U.S. law, a conviction for securities fraud can result in fines and imprisonment for up to 25 years. Depending on the fraud involved, securities violations may include other fraud charges, including:
- Telemarketing fraud
- Wire fraud
- Bank fraud
- Mail fraud
- Identity theft
- Credit card fraud
- Check fraud
- Insurance fraud
There may also be civil penalties for fraud, which could result in fines, treble damages, and restitution for the victims of investment fraud.
How Can an Experienced Securities Lawyer Help?
If your business or investment activities are being investigated by a government agency, you may be under investigation for securities fraud. Securities fraud attorneys may be able to represent you during an investigation to make sure your legal rights are represented. If you are facing legal action, criminal defense lawyers can represent you in court.
Investment fraud lawyers can use the discovery process to review all the evidence in your case, talk to witnesses, and gather relevant records to build a strong legal defense. An investment fraud attorney may also be able to negotiate a plea agreement for the best possible outcome. A successful plea deal can have charges reduced, charges dropped, or reduce the criminal sentencing.