https://marketmanipulation.org/ An education and reference library on market manipulation: the techniques, the statutes, and a permanently growing index of US and international enforcement actions. en-us Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:02:58 GMT https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-04-weekly/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-04-weekly/ 5 market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded in the week to 2026-09-04. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-04/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-04/ 2 market manipulation enforcement actions recorded on 2026-09-04, brought by SEC. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mark-d-hanf-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mark-d-hanf-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Mark D. Hanf and Hoai-Nam Chu Phan a/k/a Nam Phan, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-trijya-vakil-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-trijya-vakil-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Trijya Vakil and Neeraj Visen, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-03/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-03/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-09-03, brought by SEC. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-corey-ortiz-free-riding-and-parking-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-corey-ortiz-free-riding-and-parking-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Corey Ortiz, alleging conduct this library classifies as free riding and parking. The release records disgorgement of $199,710. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT free-riding-and-parking https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-02/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-02/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-09-02. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-01/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-09-01/ 2 market manipulation enforcement actions recorded on 2026-09-01, brought by SEC. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-david-t-gilchrist-christopher-aaron-novinger-rebecca-novinger-ponzi-schemes-/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-david-t-gilchrist-christopher-aaron-novinger-rebecca-novinger-ponzi-schemes-/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against David T. Gilchrist, Christopher Aaron Novinger, Rebecca Novinger, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mordechai-haim-ferder-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mordechai-haim-ferder-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Mordechai Haim Ferder and 4 others, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-31/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-31/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-31. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-28/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-28/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-28, brought by CFTC, with $65,000 in disclosed civil penalties. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-gabriel-perez-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-gabriel-perez-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission obtained a judgment against Gabriel Perez, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release records a civil penalty of $65,000. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-27/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-27/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-27. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-26/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-26/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-26, brought by SEC. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mayur-baviskar-free-riding-and-parking-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mayur-baviskar-free-riding-and-parking-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Mayur Baviskar, alleging conduct this library classifies as free riding and parking. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT free-riding-and-parking https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-25/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-25/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-25. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-24/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-24/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-24. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-21/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-21/ 2 market manipulation enforcement actions recorded on 2026-08-21, brought by SEC. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-gavin-wolfe-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-gavin-wolfe-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Gavin Wolfe, Jason Satsky, Defendants and SA 1083 LLC, Relief Defendants, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jesse-r-mitchell-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jesse-r-mitchell-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Jesse R. Mitchell, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-20/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-20/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-20. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-19/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-19/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-19. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/how-spoofing-gets-caught/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/how-spoofing-gets-caught/ The surveillance forensics behind order-book manipulation cases — which measures matter, which produce false positives, and why the strongest evidence is a conditional probability. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT surveillance spoofing detection https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-18/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-18/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-18. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-17/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-17/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-17, brought by SEC. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-andrew-spaventa-boiler-rooms-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-andrew-spaventa-boiler-rooms-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Andrew Spaventa, The Spaventa Group LLC, TSG Capital Advisors LLC and TSG Alpha Partners LLC, alleging conduct this library classifies as boiler rooms. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT boiler-rooms https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-14/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-14/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-14. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-13/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-13/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-13, brought by SEC. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-leor-moshe-jacob-goldman-isaac-odes-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-leor-moshe-jacob-goldman-isaac-odes-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Leor Moshe, Jacob Goldman, Isaac Odes, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-12/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-12/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-12. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/spoofing-case-teardown/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/spoofing-case-teardown/ A close reading of how spoofing prosecutions are actually built, using the enforcement records in this library rather than the narrative versions. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT spoofing case teardown enforcement https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-11/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-11/ 3 market manipulation enforcement actions recorded on 2026-08-11, brought by CFTC and SEC. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-goliath-ventures-inc-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-goliath-ventures-inc-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission brought an action against Goliath Ventures Inc. and CEO, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-benjamin-tesfaye-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-benjamin-tesfaye-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Benjamin Tesfaye, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release records disgorgement of $18,668, prejudgment interest of $2,168. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-goliath-ventures-inc-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-goliath-ventures-inc-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Goliath Ventures, Inc. and Christopher A. Delgado, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-10/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-10/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-10, brought by SEC. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-frank-m-cerisano-jr-spoofing-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-frank-m-cerisano-jr-spoofing-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Frank M. Cerisano Jr., alleging conduct this library classifies as spoofing. The release records disgorgement of $1.1 million. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT spoofing https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-07/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-07/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-07. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-06/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-06/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-06. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-05/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-05/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-05. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/is-short-selling-manipulation/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/is-short-selling-manipulation/ Short selling is lawful, useful and constantly described as manipulation. Here is where the line actually falls, and what the enforcement record shows about how often it is crossed. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT short selling explainer contested https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-04/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-04/ No new market manipulation enforcement actions were recorded on 2026-08-04. Quiet days are published rather than skipped, because an absence is information. Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-03/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-03/ 1 market manipulation enforcement action recorded on 2026-08-03, brought by SEC. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-gotbit-consulting-llc-a-k-a-gotbit-hedge-fund-wash-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-gotbit-consulting-llc-a-k-a-gotbit-hedge-fund-wash-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Gotbit Consulting LLC a/k/a Gotbit Hedge Fund and Fedor Kedrov, alleging conduct this library classifies as wash trading. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT wash-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-monthly/ https://marketmanipulation.org/news/2026-08-monthly/ 11 market manipulation enforcement actions recorded in August 2026, in line with the trailing twelve-month median, with $65,000 in disclosed civil penalties. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Enforcement digest https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-george-santos-price-manipulation-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-george-santos-price-manipulation-2026/ In 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission obtained a judgment against George Santos, alleging conduct this library classifies as price manipulation. The release records a civil penalty of $35,000. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT price-manipulation https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-aras-investment-business-group-s-a-p-i-de-c-v-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-aras-investment-business-group-s-a-p-i-de-c-v-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Aras Investment Business Group S.A.P.I. de C.V. and 5 others, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/hunt-brothers-silver-corner/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/hunt-brothers-silver-corner/ The most famous attempted corner in modern markets, and what it teaches about why corners are easy to build and nearly impossible to exit. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT history corners commodities https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jamal-jimmy-chammout-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jamal-jimmy-chammout-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Jamal (“Jimmy”) Chammout, Ali El Siblani, Ali Jawad and Rabih Rakha, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release records a civil penalty of $497,124, disgorgement of $218,082, prejudgment interest of $72,364. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-michael-j-forster-pump-and-dump-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-michael-j-forster-pump-and-dump-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Michael J. Forster, alleging conduct this library classifies as pump and dump. The release records disgorgement of $144,320. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT pump-and-dump https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-joshua-a-weiss-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-joshua-a-weiss-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Joshua A. Weiss, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-robert-yedid-andrew-kaufman-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-robert-yedid-andrew-kaufman-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Robert Yedid, Andrew Kaufman, and Mark Jacobs, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-weiguo-zhai-insider-trading-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-weiguo-zhai-insider-trading-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Weiguo Zhai, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading. The release records disgorgement of $10,006, prejudgment interest of $1,535. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT insider-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/pump-and-dump-moved-to-telegram/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/pump-and-dump-moved-to-telegram/ The mechanic has not changed since the 1920s stock pools. The distribution channel has, and the change made the fraud cheaper to run and far easier to prove. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT pump and dump crypto modern schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-north-carolina-commodity-pool-operator-ponzi-schemes-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/cftc-north-carolina-commodity-pool-operator-ponzi-schemes-2026/ In 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission brought an action against North Carolina Commodity Pool Operator and His Company, alleging conduct this library classifies as ponzi schemes. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT ponzi-schemes https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-nanobit-limited-et-al-chat-group-pumps-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-nanobit-limited-et-al-chat-group-pumps-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against NanoBit Limited, et al., alleging conduct this library classifies as chat group pumps. The release records a civil penalty of $1.2 million, disgorgement of $532,649, prejudgment interest of $81,957. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT chat-group-pumps https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-stephen-j-czarnik-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-stephen-j-czarnik-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Stephen J. Czarnik, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion and unregistered distributions. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT paid-stock-promotion unregistered-distributions https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mingran-wang-spoofing-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mingran-wang-spoofing-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Mingran Wang, alleging conduct this library classifies as spoofing. The release does not state a monetary figure that we were able to extract. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT spoofing https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/libor-benchmark-design/ https://marketmanipulation.org/blog/libor-benchmark-design/ The benchmark scandals were not a failure of imagination. The vulnerability was described before it was exploited, and the fix was structural rather than punitive. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT benchmarks design enforcement