Main navigation

SEC Announces Fraud Charges Against Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund

Fri, 06/19/2020 - 18:15
article image
Alex Dovbnya
The SEC freezes the assets that belong to the owners of a fraudulent cryptocurrency hedge fund
SEC Announces Fraud Charges Against Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund
Cover image via stock.adobe.com
Read U.TODAY on
Google News
Contents

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cracked down on a cryptocurrency hedge fund owned by Pennsylvania brothers, Sean and Shane Hvizdzak, for deceiving investors and misappropriating their funds, according to its latest press release.       

The securities watchdog had its temporary restraining order and asset freeze granted by the court on June 16.     

Related
New Bitcoin ETF Vying for SEC's Approval, but It Has One Major Problem

Tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen funds 

The hedge fund operates by the Hvizdzak brothers required a minimum investment to the tune of $100,000. 

Their business was reportedly raided by FBI agents on June 18.  

According to the SEC's complaint, the two were committing financial reporting and accounting fraud by making false claims relating to their fund's performance.  

While their business had stellar returns in Q3 and Q4 2019 on paper (101 percent and 93 percent, respectively), they were actually losing money.    

Further, the regulator states that the defendants misused 'tens of millions of dollars' by funneling them into their personal bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges.          

Related
Steven Seagal Charged with Illegally Promoting ICO by SEC: Details

Too good to be true  

Adam S. Aderton, co-chief of agency's asset management unit, says that investors should be wary of such 'exceptional' numbers:     

As alleged in our complaint, the Hvizdzaks touted exceptional, but false, performance to potential investors when offering their fund. Investors should be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true.

Earlier this month, the SEC also took action against cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme 'Modern Money Team.'

article image
About the author

Alex Dovbnya (aka AlexMorris) is a cryptocurrency expert, trader and journalist with extensive experience of covering everything related to the burgeoning industry — from price analysis to Blockchain disruption. Alex authored more than 1,000 stories for U.Today, CryptoComes and other fintech media outlets. He’s particularly interested in regulatory trends around the globe that are shaping the future of digital assets, can be contacted at alex.dovbnya@u.today.