What Do You Do If You're The CEO Of A Company Touted In A Pump-And-Dump Stock Scam?

from the sell! dept

It's already been well documented that there really are a lot of idiots out there who buy stock recommended in spam messages. They all lose money when the spammer (who buys earlier) then sells, but apparently the pump-and-dump stock spam concept still works, despite it being around for many years. However, there is another side of the story that's rarely covered. What do you do if you actually work at one of the companies touted in a stock spam scam? Some people naturally assume that these companies are in on the scam, but that's often not the case. Spammers make money either way. So, for legitimate companies, it's become something of a hassle to find their stock (which usually is already in some sort of trouble) suddenly bounce around due to a spam onslaught. Of course, it would seem like it really shouldn't be that difficult to track down who's responsible for the spam. You just need to follow the money and find out who bought the stock right before the spam and then sold right after.
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  • identicon
    mkvf, 1 Dec 2006 @ 8:48am

    "You just need to follow the money and find out who bought the stock right before the spam and then sold right after."

    IANA broker, but I'm guessing you'd use fake identity, anonymous offshore accounts, or whatever to buy the stocks, if you were doing this for a living. Would be silly to spend time (or money) getting a botnet set up and spewing spam, only to incriminate yourself so obviously by using your real identity to buy and sell the stocks.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Raymond, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:17am

      Re: and even if you find them

      And even if you find the spammers, you can't prove it. They'll say "Hey, it's just a coincidence!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    G8RDA, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:07am

    Short

    So if I get one of the spam emails should I be shorting the stock?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2006 @ 10:39am

      Re: Short

      So if I get one of the spam emails should I be shorting the stock?
      Hmm, now that's an idea! I wonder if the SEC would then accuse you of being part of the scam though?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Only idiots buy from spam, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:18am

    I get these all the time

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    *WEXE* *WEXE* *WEXE*
    WEXE GAINS ENORMOUS MOMENTUM!
    UP 17% ON FRIDAY ALONE!

    Company: WEST EXCELSIOR ENT (Other OTC:WEXE.PK)
    Symbol: WEXE
    Price: $0.70
    5-day Target: $4
    Rating: Strong Buy

    West Excelsior Enterprises Inc. Completes Financing
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    GET ON THIS BULL RUN NOW!
    WATCH WEXE ON MON NOV 27TH!
    Disclaimer: Information within this email contains "forward looking statements"
    within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities act of 1933 and Section 21B
    of the Securities exchange act of 1934. The Publisher of this report was
    compensated by an unrelated third party twenty five thousand dollars for
    distribution of this report.

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    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    FatBoy, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:33am

    Stole My Domain

    One of these scum spammers was using my domain as the return address and return path. For weeks on end, I received endless backscatter from undeliverable emails.

    Castration would be too kind for these vermin, but it would be a good start. I'd use a dull razor.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bryan, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:46am

      Re: Stole My Domain

      I'd suggest a dull hammer. it's funny this ad was right under the article when i read it. Explosive Stock Gains Hot Undervalued Penny Stock. Buy Now For Huge 700% Profit! UrgentStockAlert.com Ads by Google Bryan

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lucas, 1 Dec 2006 @ 9:52am

    Buying stocks from a stranger?

    I still remember when a close family member (I won't identify who, since it would probably be a little embarassing for them) bought some stuck from a stranger over the phone who happened to call (this was before the days of email).

    They bought about $1000 worth of stock in a small mining company that went out of business within a few weeks. I was completely surprised that this family member (who is a very intelligent and worldly person otherwise) would be suckered into such a scam.

    I guess it just goes to show that even smart people are not smart all the time. Or we all make mistakes? Maybe I'm just not very good at picking out morals from stories.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      gdwntx, 1 Dec 2006 @ 12:06pm

      Re: Buying stocks from a stranger?

      Easy money always costs you more than hard work.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Mikester, 1 Dec 2006 @ 2:36pm

      Re: Buying stocks from a stranger?

      I guess it just goes to show that even smart people are not smart all the time.

      Or... it shows that even smart people can be motivated by greed.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    another, 4 Dec 2006 @ 7:32am

    Following the money isn't all that easy

    Its not all that easy in some financial institutions to be able to track who is buying or selling a stock. Systems like that are expensive, and some firms do a better job than others. Sure, you can go back over time to figure those things out, but its not an easy process.

    Not easy you say? This is all about KYC (know your customer), AML (Anti-money laundering) and CIP (customer information programs) and even the big boys don't do this well. The SEC has put everyone on notice that the 07 audits won't be like the past, and no one is doing a good job. Wall Street is running scared, and since they recently got involved with securities, banks are too stupid to know they should be afraid.

    There are banks and wall street firms out there who are paying huge fines today over these issues. Fines about $200 million dollars. Do you ever read about them? Of course not, because the company sure doesn't want that information out there, and the govt. doesn't want it out there because it would make it easier for copycat or criminal or terrorists to move money.

    Following the money is really hard to do. It takes time and effort. Think they really care that much about a pump and dump?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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