When you decide to put your trust in a financial advisor or stockbroker, you are putting your financial security in their hands. You are putting your faith in their ability to provide you with a significant return in an ethical way. Regrettably, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, your broker may totally mismanage your investment, lie about growth, or even commit outright fraud. If this happens to you, you should reach out to a New York investment fraud lawyer for help.
When you find out that your investment is gone or, worse, is at the center of fraudulent activity, there are steps you should take to not only try to recover that investment but to hold the broker responsible for their actions. The legal team at Rosenberger + Kawabata can provide you with peace of mind that your case is being handled by the right people. We can help you discover the truth of what happened to your investment.
Investment fraud, also known as securities fraud, occurs when a registered financial advisor, such as a stockbroker or even an entire brokerage firm, engages in gross misconduct or reckless behavior with an investor’s money without their knowledge or consent. This misconduct often leads to the loss of the initial investment through illegal activity. If discovered, the broker can face criminal penalties on top of civil liability claims. A good lawyer can help you decide.
It may not be immediately obvious that your broker is fraudulent and looking to scam you out of your money. However, there are many different potential signs that you can look out for that could point to a scam. Recognizing these signs can help you avoid a serious financial mistake before it begins. Otherwise, you’ll need an investment loss attorney. Here are some possible warning signs of investment fraud that you should watch out for when you are looking to invest:
Yes, you can take legal action against someone for engaging in investment fraud in New York. You may only succeed in your case if you have a significant amount of evidence against the responsible party and a very strong case against them. If you and an investment fraud lawyer can prove that you were conned into investing your money based on a false promise, you may be able to seek reimbursement for damages.
There are many things you can do if you discover you are a victim of investment fraud. First and foremost, you should stop paying any more money to the fraudster. Gather every relevant document you can find that demonstrates how much money you have lost and who you gave it to. Then, you should report the fraud to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and contact an investment fraud lawyer to start building a case for financial recovery.
Some common types of schemes include:
The New York securities fraud law is known as the Martin Act. It grants the attorney general the power to investigate and prosecute any fraudulent activity related to the sale or purchase of securities and to seek criminal or civil action against the fraudsters. Through this act, the attorney general can ensure those who seek to commit investment fraud are held accountable.
When you invest your money, you expect your financial security to be treated with respect. When someone defrauds you and manipulates your investment for their own gain, it’s understandable to want justice. At Rosenberger + Kawabata, we can help you build a substantial case against the person who took advantage of you. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about how we can help your case.