Washington DC Securities Fraud Attorneys 

Securities fraud refers to a broad range of deceptive practices in connection with the offer, purchase, or sale of publicly-traded securities (such as stocks and bonds) that are intended to manipulate financial markets or mislead investors for personal or corporate gain. These fraudulent schemes violate laws designed to ensure market fairness and transparency and can be committed by individuals, brokers, or entire corporations.

Our securities fraud attorneys at Silver Law Group represent investors in Washington DC and elsewhere who have been victims of fraud or misconduct. We possess in-depth knowledge of the complex and frequently changing federal and state securities laws and regulations. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win a recovery in your case.

What Are the Most Common Forms of Securities Fraud?

Our securities fraud lawyers assist Washington DC investors to recover losses from a wide variety of investment fraud, including:

• Ponzi schemes: These schemes promise high-reward, low-risk returns but actually pay existing investors using funds from new investors, rather than legitimate investment profits. They are typically uncovered when the flow of new money stops.
• Pyramid schemes: These schemes rely heavily on recruiting new participants. New investors pay an upfront fee to join, and returns are generated through further recruitment rather than the sale of actual products or services.
• Market manipulation: This involves intentionally influencing the price or trading volume of securities through deceptive practices.
• Pump-and-dump schemes: Fraudsters artificially inflate the price of a low-value stock (often through false or exaggerated claims on social media or using high-pressure sales tactics), then sell their own shares at the inflated price. This causes the price to crash and leaves investors with steep monetary losses.
• Spoofing and layering: These are sophisticated algorithmic trading techniques that involve placing and quickly canceling large orders to create a false impression of demand or supply, thereby manipulating market prices.
• Misrepresentation and omission: This occurs when companies, brokers, or individuals provide false statements or intentionally leave out important information regarding a company’s financial health, operations, or investment risks to mislead investors.
• False financial reporting: This specific type of misrepresentation involves companies cooking the books to overstate earnings, hide liabilities, or otherwise falsify financial statements to deceive investors and regulators.
• High-yield investment fraud: These are schemes, often internet-based, that promise lucrative returns with little or no risk. The underlying investments are often worthless or do not exist at all.

We recommend that Washington DC investors thoroughly research any investment opportunity and the individuals promoting it. If an offer seems too good to be true and promises high returns with little to no risk, it could end up involving fraud. Be wary of unsolicited offers, especially those that pressure you to invest quickly or use unusual payment methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

Joining a Class Action Lawsuit as a Victim of Securities Fraud

Class action lawsuits can provide a mechanism for victims of securities fraud to recover a portion of their losses. The primary goal of these lawsuits is to obtain monetary damages for the class members who suffered economic injury due to violations of federal securities laws. When a securities class action is successful, either through a settlement or a court judgment, the defendants pay an agreed-upon amount into a common fund.

The money in this fund is typically distributed to eligible investors on a pro-rata basis, meaning each investor receives compensation proportional to their documented financial losses.

Third-Party Responsibility for Securities Fraud

While a company or its officers may be the primary defendants in a securities fraud claim, third parties may have their own separate legal obligations to investors or the public.

Many third parties, such as accountants, lawyers, and underwriters, serve as gatekeepers whose professional opinions lend credibility to a company’s financial disclosures. Their failure to flag issues is often central to the fraud’s success, making them critical targets for litigation to enforce accountability and secure financial recovery for investors.

The primary company involved in the fraud might not have enough assets to cover the massive damages typically awarded in class action settlements or judgments. Including third parties like auditors or investment banks, who often carry significant insurance policies, provides another source of compensation for investors. Our securities fraud attorneys can represent investors in Washington DC and uncover all potential liability parties who may owe compensation for aiding and abetting fraud.

Reach Out to Our Securities Fraud Lawyers If You Wish to File a Claim in Washington DC

Silver Law Group has successfully recovered millions of dollars for investors through litigation and handled claims against some of the largest Wall Street institutions. Our managing partner Scott Silver has received the Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent “AV” Rating, the highest possible for legal ability and ethics. He has also been selected as a top-rated securities litigation attorney by Super Lawyers and is co-chair of the Securities and Financial Fraud Group of the American Association for Justice (AAJ).

Our team of Washington DC securities fraud attorneys, forensic accountants, and support staff regularly analyze portfolios and identify signs of fraud. We have extensive experience in a wide range of cases, including class actions and claims against third parties who aided in the fraud. Cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients do not pay attorney’s fees unless their losses are recovered. Contact us today to discuss your legal options in a free case consultation.