Investment fraud can devastate the finances of individuals. The loss of savings for retirement, inheritances for children or other goals can be devastating. It is important to keep detailed records of all transactions. It will help when pursuing recovery options. Several processes, including disgorgement and fair funds, can provide financial retribution to victims.
Report the Fraud to Law Enforcement
Everyone has heard the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The same rule applies to investment opportunities. Unscrupulous financial advisors often employ various schemes to scam unsuspecting investors. These shady investment promoters may offer opportunities in multiple projects, including share sale fraud, hedge fund fraud, land banking fraud or bond fraud. Those who are victims of investment fraud should report the crime to law enforcement. In addition to federal agencies such as the FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission or FINRA, many state securities regulators have fraud hotlines that can assist you with filing a complaint. You can also file a private civil lawsuit against the perpetrators.
If you have any communication with the criminals, include the relevant details in your complaint. Investigators may find and bring fraudsters to justice using phone numbers, email addresses, and company names. Also, if the loss of your hard-earned money has caused significant debt, consider consulting with a financial counselor or advisor to determine a path forward that might include bankruptcy. You can also claim fraud losses on your tax return, although you must itemize the deductions.
Review Your Options
American citizens lose billions of dollars yearly to investment scammers who exploit their greed and economic worries. Swindlers typically lure potential victims through aggressive marketing techniques such as email, telephone, and postal mail. They often target high-net-worth individuals and financial professionals looking for lucrative investments. They may also use fear tactics to convince investors that the market is about to crash or that their investments risk losing value. Individuals who suffer losses due to securities fraud should consider reviewing their legal options with a lawyer specializing in investment fraud law. Such attorneys can assist victims of fraud by helping them understand their legal rights and how they can recover monetary compensation for their losses.
Different strategies can be used to recover losses depending on the type of securities fraud. For example, when a fraudulent firm is closed down, the courts can force the fraudster to hand over any ill-gotten gains through a process known as disgorgement.
Another strategy is to investigate potential investments thoroughly before making any purchases. It is important to avoid investing based solely on the recommendations of others or on information found online in newsletters, bulletin boards, blogs, or articles. Also, please do not make any investments based on written risk disclosures that sound like they were merely created to meet regulatory requirements and thus are easily disregarded by dishonest promoters.
Contact an Attorney
Many investment fraud victims are unfamiliar with the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in securities law violations or other forms of investor misconduct. As such, they tend to chalk up losses in their annuity contracts or brokerage accounts as “bad luck, ” not resulting from their financial advisor’s negligence. If you have lost money in an investment scam, it is important to seek out the guidance of an experienced attorney. While it is impossible to guarantee any specific results, an experienced investment fraud lawyer will understand the different processes available for recouping investments and can help you determine your options.
Investors harmed by a financial fraudster’s conduct often qualify for monetary recovery through several processes, including disgorgement funds, fair funds (financial penalties that the SEC will distribute to victim investors), and receiverships. Investors can also recover their money through private class action lawsuits. It would help if you acted when you have been the victim of investment fraud. Time is of the essence, and a qualified attorney can help you protect your rights and recover your losses.
Take Action
When you have been scammed, acting quickly and hiring an investment fraud attorney as soon as possible is crucial. It will help ensure that the responsible parties are investigated and held accountable. It will also allow you to recover your losses more quickly. Investing fraud is often committed by people without regard for their client’s best interests. They will take your money, use it for financial gain, and disappear. This fraud may involve investments in cryptocurrency, real estate, and even physical commodities like gold or silver. Fraudsters will use social media, dating apps, and Internet ads to entice unsuspecting victims into fraudulent schemes or programs. They typically use high-pressure sales tactics to make the scam seem legitimate and get you to invest on the spot.
The fraudsters will try to manipulate market prices by rigging quotes or committing “pump and dump” activities to inflate or deflate demand for certain securities artificially. For example, suppose they know a particular company will file for bankruptcy. In that case, they will use news reports and other information to promote the company’s stock to generate a buying frenzy that will then crash the price of the shares. They will then sell their shares at a profit and leave unsuspecting investors with worthless stock.
