Read frequently asked questions regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission whistleblower program, and the rewards whistleblowers may be eligible to receive for anonymously reporting securities fraud.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been more focused on ESG disclosures and operating practices in recent years. They've pursued enforcement actions against a number of companies engaged in ESG greenwashing, when they are considered a violation of securities laws.
The SEC whistleblower law requires that the SEC to pay a qualified whistleblower, who provides original information to the SEC regarding a violation of any of the securities laws enforced by the SEC and/or a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a financial award.
An SEC whistleblower is a person who provides the SEC Office of the Whistleblower with original, timely and credible information regarding a violation of federal securities laws. Such violations include ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, high-yield investment programs, theft or misuse of funds or securities, insider trading and many other forms of financial frauds.
Cryptocurrency fraud whistleblowers who report alleged violations to regulators, such as market manipulation, money laundering, tax avoidance, or other scams (through the guise of crypto), can earn awards under various federal whistleblower reward programs.
The SEC Whistleblower Program implements the law’s requirement that the Commission pay whistleblowers, including anonymous SEC whistleblowers whose original information results in a sanction of $1 million or more a monetary reward.
Accounting fraud occurs when a company intentionally manipulates its financial statements to create a false impression of strong financial health. Insiders who bring information about accounting fraud to the SEC, CFTC, or the IRS may be eligible for a whistleblower reward.
Abusive naked short selling refers to the practice of selling securities without first ensuring that the necessary shares are available for delivery. This can be done through various means, such as failing to deliver shares within the required time frame or using fraudulent means to create the appearance of shares being available for delivery.
Market manipulation is a type of activity that is carried out by individuals or groups in an attempt to interfere with the normal operation of financial markets, and whistleblower awards are available for reporting market manipulation.
Insider trading is a violation of the Securities Exchange Act. Thus, individuals who have strong evidence of illegal insider trading can report their concerns to the SEC. Regardless of citizenship, any individual or group of individuals can participate in the SEC whistleblower program, possibly earning significant SEC whistleblower awards.
Microcap stock fraud occurs when microcap companies engage in market manipulation. Microcap stock frauds aim to sell or “swindle” unwitting investors into buying what seems to be legitimate stock. Microcap insiders who know of microcap stock fraud can report their concerns to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and file for a whistleblower reward.
In addition to establishing a whistleblower award program for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act greatly expanded anti-retaliation protections for individuals blowing the whistle on securities law violations.
The Ponzi Scheme is initiated when one schemer collects investments from multiple “investors” below them. In order to pay back those investors, the main schemer must come up with new funds, which cannot be actual returns as there is no business taking place. Instead, the head schemer fabricates “returns” by gaining new investors and using their investments to pay those who invested before them.
Recently the SEC amended its current rules governing the Dodd-Frank Act whistleblower law, which now requires the Commission to pay rewards in the range of 10% to 30% of any “sanctions” obtained by the SEC in administrative, civil or criminal enforcement proceedings.
