The SEC alleges that the day trader particularly targeted fellow members of the Houston-area Lebanese and Druze communities, raising more than $6 million during a five-year period from at least 33 investors. The day trader told prospective investors that he would pool their investments with his own money and conduct high-frequency trading using a supposed proprietary trading algorithm. He promised annual returns of 30 percent and assured investors that his program was safe and proven when in reality it was a dismal failure, generating $1.5 million in losses. As he failed to deliver the promised profits, the day trader told investors that his funds were tied up in the Greek debt crisis and the MF Global bankruptcy among other phony excuses.
The SEC is seeking an emergency court order to halt the scheme and freeze the day trader‘s assets and those of his firm, FAH Capital Partners.
“[The day trader’s] affinity scam preyed upon people’s tendency to trust those who share common backgrounds and beliefs,” said David R. Woodcock, Director of the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office. “[He] raised money by creating the aura of a successful day trader among friends and family in his community, and he continued to mislead them and hide the truth while trading losses mounted.”
For more information, visit SEC Charges Trader in Houston-Area Investment Scheme Targeting Lebanese and Druze Communities.
