CFTC charges Mark Rice and Financial Robotics with forex solicitation fraud

CFTC's complaint alleges that since at least September 2006 Mark Rice through his Financial Robotics company has fraudulently solicited from at least one person $10.4 million for the purported purpose of trading Forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term managed accounts.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced that a federal court in Houston entered an order freezing the assets of Mark E. Rice of Sugar Land, Texas, and his company, Financial Robotics, Inc. (FinRob) of Houston, Texas. The order, entered by Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, also prohibits the destruction of books and records and appoints a temporary receiver. The judge ordered Rice and FinRob to appear in court on July 28, 2011 for a preliminary injunction hearing.

The order arises out of a CFTC civil complaint filed under seal on June 29, 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The complaint charges Rice and FinRob with fraudulently soliciting millions of dollars from at least one individual to trade off-Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term foreign currency (forex) through accounts that they managed. In their solicitations, the defendants allegedly falsely claimed that their investments were insured against loss. The defendants also falsely guaranteed the return of the principal amount invested, according to the complaint.

In its continuing litigation against the defendants, the CFTC seeks restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, a civil monetary penalty, and a permanent injunction against further violations of the federal commodities laws.

The CFTC thanks the National Futures Association, the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission, and the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Commission.

The Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Kevin S. Webb, Michelle S. Bougas, Heather Johnson, James H. Holl, III, Gretchen L. Lowe, and Vince McGonagle.

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