In Brief: SEC Accuses 82 in 'Microcap' Fraud Cases

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday filed 26 enforcement actions against 82 people in its second nationwide sweep against fraud in brokering stock of very small companies.

The SEC said that defendants in the latest "microcap" cases "profited by more than $12 million and cost investors untold millions." The agency said the alleged violations included "pump and dump" schemes in which stock prices are manipulated through deceptive practices.

In its first sweep against microcap fraud last September, the regulator filed 13 actions against 41 people, alleging more than $25 million of microcap fraud.

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