Securities News

SEC and U.S. Attorney Charge Three Offshore Hackers Manipulating Market

Today the United States Securities and Exchange Commission announced the filing of civil charges against Jaisankar Marimuthu, Chockalingam Ramanathan and Thirugnanam Ramanathan, three Indian nationals who participated in a fraudulent scheme to manipulate the prices of at least fourteen securities through the unauthorized use of other people’s online brokerage accounts. One victim had $180,000 cash and equity in his online brokerage account before a five-day fishing trip only to find a negative $200,000 balance when he returned.

In a related action, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a federal court in Nebraska today unsealed a twenty-three count indictment against the individuals charged in the Commission’s complaint.

“Hackers who prey on American investors—no matter what continent they’re operating from—are meeting their match with powerful adversaries in the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We will go anywhere on earth to stop these thieves and hold them accountable,” said SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. Read more at sec.gov.

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	Did You Know?
	Swap: In general, the exchange of one asset or liability for a similar asset or liability Swap: In general, the exchange of one asset or liability for a similar asset or liability for the purpose of lengthening or shortening maturities, or raising or lowering coupon rates, to maximize revenue or minimize financing costs. This may entail selling one securities issue and buying another in foreign currency; it may entail buying a currency on the spot market and simultaneously selling it forward. Swaps also may involve exchanging income flows; for example, exchanging the fixed rate coupon stream of a bond for a variable rate payment stream, or vice versa, while not swapping the principal component of the bond. Swaps are generally traded over-the-counter.