{"id":377005,"date":"2018-06-07T17:12:07","date_gmt":"2018-06-07T22:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-securities-fraud-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-06-08T10:10:08","modified_gmt":"2018-06-08T15:10:08","slug":"virginia-securities-fraud-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-securities-fraud-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Securities Fraud Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Virginia Securities Fraud Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The offense of securities fraud<\/a> refers to both criminal and civil offenses; the term is used to describe unlawful activities surrounding investor opportunities and the trade and sales of stocks and bonds and other securities. Because the offense is a form of fraud<\/a>, the perpetrator uses deceptive behavior to influence others to take specific actions concerning securities, often resulting in financial losses.<\/p>\r\n

If a person engages in accounting fraud, insider trading, or investment fraud, such as a pyramid scheme or Ponzi scheme,<\/a> in Virginia, they can be charged with securities fraud in violation of Virginia law, federal law, or both.<\/p>\r\n

Overview of Virginia Securities Fraud Laws<\/h2>\r\n

When it's practical, it's helpful to review the relevant statutes in their entirety when researching a legal issue (especially when it involves criminal law). However, it's also useful and efficient to read a condensed version of the law written in easy-to-read language. See the chart below for a synopsis of Virginia's securities fraud laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Elements of the Crime<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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Unlawful Offers and Sales<\/i><\/p>\r\n

It is prohibited for any individual, relating to the offer or sale of any security (directly or indirectly) to engage in the following:<\/p>\r\n

Possible Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

The actual penalties will depend on the specific circumstances of the case, but possible penalties include:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Incarceration<\/li>\r\n
  • Fines<\/li>\r\n
  • Restitution to the victim<\/li>\r\n
  • Civil penalties<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Offenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n