Market manipulation can occur in any number of ways in commodities and futures trading, and whistleblowers are a critical means in which the government investigates and stops this kind of fraud. One means of market manipulation is through engaging in prohibited trading activity. Prohibited methods of manipulative trading include “spoofing,” which refers to the practice of placing and canceling orders in an effort to move prices without a bona fide intent to trade. Dodd-Frank specifically prohibited this practice, and the CFTC has increased investigation in this area. One trader was recently indicted for such activity, and other traders have been fined. These and other methods of manipulating markets are prohibited and of great concern to the CFTC.
Whistleblowers with information on persons who have engaged in market manipulation in these markets are encouraged to report to the CFTC Whistleblower Office. If one reports such fraud with the help of a qualified CFTC whistleblower attorney, the whistleblower may remain anonymous.
Hagens Berman represents several whistleblower actions under the CFTC and SEC Whistleblower Programs, including representation of high-profile market expert Haim Bodek, and marshals its significant nationwide resources and expertise in financial fraud to best present whistleblower matters to the SEC and CFTC.
