Securities and Exchange Commission v. Mohamud Abdi Ahmed
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Mohamud Abdi Ahmed, No. 3:09-cv-02610 (Nov. 20, 2009)
Mohamud Abdi Ahmed and his company ShidaalExpress, Inc. defrauded over 40 Somali immigrant investors of at least $3 million by falsely promising 5% monthly returns from non-existent stock trading, misappropriating funds meant for a money transfer license, and issuing fraudulent stock certificates, leading to an SEC lawsuit seeking asset freezes, disgorgement, and civil penalties.
Mohamud Abdi Ahmed and ShidaalExpress, Inc. raised at least $3 million from over 40 investors, primarily from the Somali immigrant community, by falsely claiming to generate 5% monthly returns (60% annually) through stock trading with no risk of loss. Ahmed, who held no securities licenses, misrepresented the use of investor funds—purporting to seek a money transfer license while secretly attempting to buy an interest in another company—and issued stock certificates that were not registered or recognized on any official shareholder list. The SEC charged them with violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, seeking injunctive relief, asset freezes, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with interest, and civil penalties after payments ceased in late 2008 and Ahmed falsely claimed government seizures blocked repayments.
Mohamud Abdi Ahmed and his company ShidaalExpress, Inc. orchestrated a $3 million securities fraud targeting members of the Somali immigrant community in San Diego, Seattle, and other locations, beginning in at least 2006. Ahmed falsely promised investors guaranteed 5% monthly returns (60% annually) from non-existent stock trading, assuring them there was no risk of loss and that their principal would be repaid on demand, often accepting payments in cash or cashier’s checks. Early investors received payouts, likely funded by new investors, which built trust and encouraged further investments—including $200,000 from a San Diego mosque—based on community referrals and perceived legitimacy. Ahmed misrepresented the use of funds, claiming he was seeking a money transfer license, when in fact he attempted to purchase an interest in another money transfer company, an effort that failed. He issued fraudulent stock certificates to investors, none of whom appeared on any official shareholder list he prepared, while his company’s website falsely promoted real-time stock trading and investment opportunities as recently as November 2009. After ceasing payments in late 2008, Ahmed deceived investors by falsely claiming the government had seized his assets, and the SEC filed a complaint alleging violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act, seeking asset freezes, disgorgement with interest, civil penalties, and the appointment of a receiver.
Extracted insights
- $3.00M $3million $1M–$10M
- $600K $600,000 $100K–$1M
- $10K $10,000 $10K–$100K
- $500 $500 <$10K
- $500 $500 <$10K
- $200 $200 <$10K
- person Investors
- person mohamud abdi ahmed
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- organization Securities and Exchange Commission
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed raised $3 million from over 40 investors
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed promised 5% monthly returns (60% per year) on investments
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed claimed investor funds were safe and would generate returns from stock trading
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed stopped making monthly returns to investors late last year
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed lulled investors with false promises of repayment and claims of seized assets
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed solicited money for a money transfer business
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed claimed he was raising money to obtain a money transfer license
- Mohamud Abdi Ahmed misappropriated investors' funds by falsely selling shares in Shidaal Express
- Shidaal Express, Inc. maintains a website touting its stock trading business
- Shidaal Express advertised investment opportunities as recently as November 9, 2009
- Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint for violations of federal securities laws
- Investors invested life savings based on trust from other Somali community members
• • ORIGINAL 1JOHNM.McCOYIII,Cal.BarNo.166244 E-mail:[email protected] 2ALKAN.PATEL,Cal. BarNo.175505 E-mail:[email protected] 3DAVID S.BROWN,Cal.BarNo.134569 E-mail:[email protected] ·ZDD~NOVi9AH9:25 5 4 6 SecuritiesandExchangeCommission Rosalind R.Tyson,RegionalDirector MicheleWeinLayne,AssociateRegionalDirector 5670WilshireBoulevard, 11thFloor LosAngeles,California90036 7Telephone:(323)965-3998 Facsimile:(323)965-3908 "~I UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT CaseNo. SOUTHERNDISTRICTOFCALIFORNIA/ '09CV2610JMPOR. SECURITIESANDEXCHANGE COMMISSION, 8 9 10 11 12 COMPLAINTFORVIOLATIONSOF THEFEDERALSECURITIESLAWS ',. • • 1PlaintiffSecuritiesandExchangeCommission("Commission")allegesasfollows: 2JURISDICTIONANDVENUE 31.TheCourthasjurisdictionoverthisactionpursuanttoSections20(b),20(d)(1) 4and22(a)oftheSecuritiesActof1933("SecuritiesAct"),15U.S.C.§§77t(b),77t(d)(I)& 577v(a),andSections21(d)(l),21(d)(3)(A),21(e)and27oftheSecuritiesExchangeActof1934 6("ExchangeAct"), 15U.S.C.§§78u(d)(l),78u(d)(3)(A),78u(e),and78aa.TheDefendants 7have,directlyorindirectly,madeuse ofthemeansorinstrumentalitiesofinterstatecommerce,of 8themails,orofthefacilitiesofa nationalsecuritiesexchangeinconnectionwiththetransactions, 9acts,practicesandcourses ofbusinessallegedinthisComplaint. 102.Venueis properinthisdistrictpursuanttoSection22(a) oftheSecuritiesAct,15 11U.S.C.§77v(a),andSection27oftheExchangeAct,15U.S.C.§78aa,becausecertainofthe 12transactions,acts,practices,andcourses ofconductconstitutingtheviolationsallegedherein 13occurredwithinthisdistrict,the entitydefendantis locatedinthisdistrict,andtheindividual 14defendantresidesinthis district. 15SUMMARY 163.ThisactionhasbeenfiledtohaltanongoingsecUritiesfraudschemetargeting 17members oftheSomaliimmigrantcommunitywholiveinSanDiego,Seattle,andelsewhere. 18Sinceatleast2006,DefendantMohamudAbdiAhmed("Ahmed")hasraisedat least$3million 19fromover40investors- including$200,000froma SanDiegomosque- forhispurportedstock 20tradingandfinancialservicesbusinessoperatedthroughDefendantShidaalExpress,Inc. 21("ShidaalExpress").Ahmedmadefalsepromisesofexorbitantreturnsof5%permonth- or 2260%peryear- claimingthatforeach$10,000investmentmade byan'investor,theinvestor 23wouldreceive$500a month.Ahmedrepresentedhewouldgeneratethosereturnsfromtrading 24stocksandtherewasnorisk ofloss.Ahmedtoldinvestorstheirmoneywassafeandhehada 25history ofgoodresults.Ahmedpromisedinvestors,manyofwhominvestedincashorcashier's 26checks,hewouldrepaytheirprincipalat anytimeupontheirrequest.Investorsinitiallyreceived 27some ofthepurportedmonthlyreturns,manyofwhichwere paidincash,butAhmedceased 28makingthesepaymentslatelastyear.SinceAhmedstoppedpayingmonthlyreturns,hehasbeen 1 • • 1lullinginvestorswithfalsepromisesofrepaymentofprincipaland/orfalselyclaimingthathe 2couldnotrepaythembecausethegovernmenthadseizedhisassets.Severalinvestorsinvested 3theirlife'ssavingswithAhmedbecauseothersintheSomalicommunityhadinvestedwith 4Ahmed,receivedpromisedreturns,andtrustedhim. 54.Ahmedalsosolicitedmoneyforhismoneytransferbusinessandmade 6misrepresentationstoinvestorsabouttheuseofinvestorproceeds. Ahmedclaimedhewas 7raisingmoneytoobtaina moneytransferlicense,butactuallywastryingtobuyaninterestin 8anothermoneytransfercompany.Ahmed'spurchaseofthatinterestwasunsuccessful.Ahmed 9misappropriatedinvestors'fundsbyclaimingtosellthemsharesinhismoneytransferbusiness, 10butinvestorswhoreceivedShidaalExpressstockcertificatesdonotappearona listofShidaal 11ExpressshareholdersAhmedprepared. 125.ShidaalExpresscontinuestomaintaina website whichtoutsthecompany'sstock 13tradingbusinessand,asrecent!yasNovember9,2009,a signpostedoutsidea ShidaalExpress 14storeinSanDiegoadvertises"InvestmentOpportunities." 156.TheDefendants,byengagingintheconductdescribedinthisComplaint,have 16violated,andunlessenjoined~i11continuetoviolate,theantifraudprovisionsofthefederal 17securitieslaws. 18THEDEFENDANTS 197.MohamudAbdiAhmed,age45,is a residentofSpringValley,California. 20Ahmedis theCEO,president,secretary,chainnanandfounderofShidaalExpress.Ahmeddoes 21notholdanysecuritieslicensesandis notregisteredasorassociatedwithaninvestmentadviser. 22 8.ShidaalExpress,Inc.is a Californiacorporation locatedinSanDiego, 23California.Itwasalsoincorporatedin MinnesotaandWashingtonstate.Itis notregisteredwith 24theCommissioninanycapacityandit hasnotregisteredanyofferingofitssecuritiesunderthe 25SecuritiesActora classofsecuritiesundertheExchangeAct.ShidaalExpressis controlledby 26Ahmed. 27III 28III 2 • • 1FACTS 2TheDefendantsOperatea FraudulentScheme 3Background 4 9.AhmedformedShidaalExpressin2006toprovidecheck-cashing~money 5 transfer~andothersimilarservicesfortheSomaliimmigrantcommunity.ShidaalExpress 6operatesstoresintheSanDiegoareaandmayoperateinothercitieswithlargeSomali 7communities.Since2007~ShidaalExpresshasbeenregisteredas.aMoneyServiceBusinessby 8theU.S.TreasuryDepartment~sFinancialCrimesEnforcementNetwork.Certainbusiness 9listingsontheInternetdescribeShidaalExpressasa "onestopconveniencecenterforallbill 10pays~moneyorders~moneywirings~checkcashingandprepaiddebitcards."Amongthe 11servicestoutedona signat oneShidaalExpressstorefrontinSanDiegois:"Investment 12Opportunities."ThissignwasvisibleasrecentlyasNovember9~2009. 1310.ShidaalExpresscurrentlymaintainsawebsite~www.shidaal.com~whichis 14registeredtoAhmedandanothercompanyhecontrols.ThewebsitedoesnotreferenceShidaal 15Express"moneytransferservicesandprovidesnorelevantinformationaboutthecompanyorits 16operationsotherthanlistingAhmedasitschairmanandCEO.Instead~thewebsiteprovides 17stockrecommendations~dailystockforecasts~andotherinformationaboutstocktrading. 18Specifically~thewebsiteshows"DailyRealTimeTrades"andinvitestheviewerto"Comehere 19andwatchourrealtimetrades."Thewebsiteclaimstoserve''TheHappiest~ustomers"and 20invitesviewerstoregisterforthesitetoreceive..emailnotificationupdates"andotherthingsthat 21arepasswordprotected.Thewebsitecontainsa lengthy"Disclaimef~claimingit is-notinvolved 22ininvestmentadvisoryandsecurities-relatedactivitiesunderthefederalsecuritieslaws. 23Ahmed'sInvestmentScheme 24 11.Sinceat least2006~Ahmedhasraisedat least$3millionfrommorethan40 25investorsintheSomaliimmigrant communityinSanDiego~Seattle~andelsewhere.Several 26investorsknewofAhmedthrougha mosqueinSanDiego,whichitselfinvested$200~000with 27Ahmed.Ahmeddirectlysolicitedsomeinvestorsincludinggivingpresentationstoprospective 28investorsat a hotelneartheSeattle-Tacomaairportin2008.Ahmedofferedtopay$500 3 • • 13.Severalinvestorsinvestedtheirlife'ssavingswithAhmedbecauseothersinthe Somalicommunityhadinvestedwithhim,theysaidtheyreceivedpromisedreturns,andthey saidtheytrustedhim.Investorsofteninvestedincashorwithcashier'schecks. 14.Ahmeddidnotgiveinvestorsanydocumentsabouttheinvestmentbeforethey invested.Ahmeddidnotprovideanydocumentsorreceiptstoacknowledgeinvestments. Ahmeddidnotprovideinvestorswithanyaccountstatements.Untillate2008,investors receivedmonthlyreturnsusuallyincashorinsome casesthroughpaymentstorelatives. 15.TheDefendantshadsecuritiesbrokerageaccounts,most oftheminAhmed'sown name,whichwereusedtoengageinriskysecuritiestradingstrategiesthat donotappeartohave generatedprofitssufficienttopayinvestorsthereturns of5%permonthpromisedbyAhmed. 16.Ahmedalsosolicitedfundsforhismoneytransferbusiness.Ahmedrepresented toat leastoneinvestorin2008thatheneededtoraise$1.2milliontoobtaina license forhis moneytransferbusiness, claimingtohavealreadyraised$600,000.Inthoseinstances,Ahmed promisedtoissueshares ofShidaalExpressexchangeforinvestorfunds.In otherinstances, however,Ahmedsimplyrolled-overinvestors' priorinvestmentsintoShidaalExpresswithout theirconsent.Forexample,aninvestorwhopreviouslyinvested$10,000forthe5%monthly returnlaterinvested$40,000toacquireshares ofShidaalExpressand$30,000foranother separateinvestment.Ahmed,however,gavetheinvestora stock certificatefortheentire $70,000investment,eventhough$10,000hadbeenmadeforthefixed-returninvestment.The 1cOmmissiontoexistinginvestorsforeachnewinvestortheyreferred.Otherinvestors 2approachedAhmed byreferralfromexistinginvestorsorthroughwordofmouthintheSomali 3community. 412.Ahmedpromisedinvestorsa guaranteed5%monthlyreturn(i.e.,60%annually), 5payableona morithlybasis.Ahmedclaimedhegeneratedreturnsfromstocktrading.Ahmed 6toutedhisprioreducationandexperienceasa stocktraderandclaimedhehadneverlostany 7money.Ahmedinsistedoninvestmentsinincrements of$10,000,whichhetoldsomeinvestors 8 qQuldonlybemadeincash.Ahmedassuredinvestorstheycouldrequestthemoneybackat any 9time. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 4 • • 1investorneitherconsentedtotherollovernorreceivedanymeaningfulresponsewhenhe 2questionedAhmedaboutit.Ahmedrolled-overotherinvestorsina similarfashion. 317.Inlate2007theDefendantssoughttoacquirea 49%interestina SanDiego-area 4moneytransfercompanylicensedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFinancialInstitutions("DFI"). 5Aspart ofthetransaction,ShidaalExpressagreedto makea capitalcontributioninexcessof 6$500,000intothatcompany,whichfiledanapplicationwiththeDFItoseekapprovalofthe 7transaction.DFIconditionallyapprovedthetransactioninlate2008,andrequiredShidaal 8Expresstomakea $500,000capitalcontribution.ShidaalExpressfailedtomakethis 9contribution.OnJuly1,2009,DFIterminateditsapprovalofthetransaction. 10 FraudulentMisrepresentationsandOmissions 1118.Ahmed,whohasneverbeenlicensedasa securitiesprofessional,orallypromised 12investorsguaranteed5%permonth,or60%annual,returnsontheirinvestment.Althoughhe 13initiallypaidthepromisedreturns,Ahmed stoppedmakingthesepaymentsinlate2008.Despite i4investors'repeatedrequeststhatAhmedhonorhispromises,hehasfailedtopaythemany 15returns. 1619.Ahmedpromisedinvestorsthathewouldrepaytheirprincipalat anytimeupon 17request.Althoughinvestorshavedemandedreturnoftheirprincipal,sincelate2008,Ahmedhas 18failedtoreturntheirfunds.Instead,Ahmed haslulledinvestorsintobelievingthattheir 19investmentsaresafe.Topacifysomeinvestors,Ahmedmadesmallpaymentsbycheck,which 20werereturnedforinsufficientfunds.Ahmedmisrepresentedtoseveralinvestorsthathecould 21notrepaythembecausethegovernmenthadseizedhisassets.Ahmedthreatenedsomeinvestors 22whowereinclinedtocooperatewiththeFBIbytellingthemthatheandhisassociateshada lot 23of"moneyandpower."Inanotherinstance,fromApriltoJuly2009,Ahmedtriedtoextract 24evenmoremoneyfromoneunemployedinvestorbyfalselypromisinghima positionina new 25ShidaalExpresslocationinSanJose, California,inexchangeforadditionalfunds.Atleasttwo 26investorshaveretainedanattorneyandthreatenedtofilea lawsuitagainstAhmed.Ahmedtold 27severalinvestorsiftheysued,theywouldgetnothing. 2820..Ahmedmisusedinvestorfundsraisedforthemoneytransferbusiness.Ahmed 5 • • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 gavecertaininvestorsShidaalExpressstockcertificates,buttheseinvestorsdonotappeardonot appearasshareholdersondocumentsprepared bytheDefendants.Thisshareholderlist,updated as ofMay12,2009,purportedlyincludedthenamesandownershipinterestsofallShidaal Expressshareholders,butat leastthreeinvestorswhoreceivedShidaalExpressstockcertificates fromAhmedbeforeMay2009werenotonthelist. 21.Ahmedrepresentedtoat leastoneinvestorin2008thathewasraisingmoneyto obtaina moneytransferlicense,whichheclaimedwouldproveprofitableforShidaalExpress. However,ShidaalExpresswasoperatingduringthistimeas anauthorizedMoneyService Businessunderfederalfinancialregulationsandasanagentfora California-licensedmoney transfercompany.Assuch,ShidaalExpress wasalreadyengagedinthatbusinessand presumablyhadtheappropriate registrati~nsandlicensestodoso.Duringthattime,the Defendantswerenotworkingonobtaininga CalifornialicenseforShidaalExpress;rather,they wereattemptingtoacquireaninterestinanotherentityandit appearsthattheDefendants intendedtouseinvestors'moneytopaythe$500,000considerationforacquiringthatinterest instead ofobtainingtheirownlicense,whichwasnotdisclosedto.investors. FIRSTCLAIMFORRELIEF FRAUDIN.THEOFFERORSALEOFSECURITIES ViolationsofSection17(a)OftheSecuritiesAct (AgainstDefendantsShidaalExpressandAhmed) 22.TheCommissionreallegesandincorporates byreferenceparagraphs1 through21 above. withscienter,employeddevices,schemes,orartificestodefraud; obtainedmoneyorproperty bymeansofuntruestatementsofa material factor byomittingtostatea materialfactnecessaryinordertomakethe b. a. 2223.DefendantsAhmedandShidaalExpress,andeachofthem,byengaginginthe 23conductdescribedabove,directlyorindirectly,intheofferorsaleofsecuritiesbytheuseof 24meansorinstrumentsoftransportationorcommunicationininterstatecommerceorbyuseofthe 25mails: 26 27 28 6 " • • statementsmade,inlightofthecircumstancesunderwhichtheywere c. 25. made,notmisleading;or engagedintransactions,practices,orcourses ofbusinesswhichoperated orwouldoperate asa fraudordeceituponthepurchaser. 24. Byengagingintheconductdescribedabove,DefendantsAhmedandShidaal Express,andeach ofthem,violated,andunlessrestrainedandenjoinedwillcontinuetoviolate, Section17(a) oftheSecuritiesAct,15U.S.C.§77q(a). SECONDCLAIMFORRELIEF FRAUDINCONNECTIONWITHTHEPuRCHASEORSALEOFSECURITIES ViolationsofSectionlO(b)oftheExchangeActandRulelOb-5Thereunder (AgainstDefendantsShidaalExpressandAhmed) TheCommissionreallegesandincorporates byreferenceparagraphs1 through21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13above. 1426.DefendantsAhmedandShidaalExpress,andeach ofthem,byengaginginthe 15conductdescribedabove,directlyorindirectly,inconnectionwiththepurchaseorsaleofa 16security, bytheuseofmeansorinstrumentalitiesofinterstatecommerce,ofthemails,orofthe 17facilities ofa nationalsecuritiesexchange,withscienter: 18a.employeddevices,schemes,orartificestodefraud; 19b.madeuntruestatements ofa materialfactoromittedtostatea material 20factnecessaryinordertomakethestatementsmade,inlight ofthe 21circumstancesunderwhichtheyweremade,notmisleading;or 22 c.engagedinacts,practices,orcoursesofbusinesswhichoperatedorwould 23operateasa fraudordeceituponotherpersons. 2427.Byengagingintheconductdescribedabove,DefendantsAhmedandShidaal 25Express,andeach,ofthem,violated,andunless'restrainedandenjoinedwillcontinuetoviolate, 26Section10(b) oftheExchangeAct,15U.S.C.§78j(b),andRule10b-5thereunder,17C.F.R.§ 27240.lOb-5. 28III 7 • • 1PRAYERFORRELIEF 2WHEREFORE,theCommissionrespectfullyrequeststhattheCourt: 3L 4IssuefindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawthatDefendantAhmedandShidaalExpress . 5committedtheallegedviolations. 6li 7issuejudgments,ina formconsistentwithRule65(d)oftheFederalRulesofCivil 8Procedure,temporarily,preliminarily,andpermanentlyenjoiningDefendantsAhmedand 9Shidaal Express,andtheirofficers,agents,servants,employeesandattorneys,andthoseinactive 10concertorparticipationwithany ofthem,whoreceiveactualnoticeoftheorderbypersonal 11serviceorotherwise,andeachofthem,fromviolatingSection17(a)oftheSecuritiesAct,15 12U.S.C.§ 77q(a),andSection10(b)oftheExchangeAct,15U.S.C.§ 78j(b),andRulelOb-5 13thereunder,17C.f.R.§ 240.10b-5. 14III. 15Issue,ina formconsistentwithRule65oftheFederalRulesofCivilProcedure,a 16temporaryrestrainingorderanda preliminaryinjunctionfreezingtheassetsofeachofthe 17Defendantsandanyentityaffiliatedwithanyofthem,prohibitingeachoftheDefendantsfrom 18destroyingdocuments,grantingexpediteddiscovery,andrequiringaccountingsfromeachofthe 19Defendants. 20 IV. 21OrdertheDefendantstodisgorgeallill-gottengainsfromtheillegalconductalleged 22herein,togetherwithprejudgmentinterestthereon. 23v. 24OrderDefendantsAhmedandShidaalExpresstopaycivilpenaltiespursuanttoSection 2520(d)oftheSecuritiesAct,15U.S.C.§77t(d)andSection21(d)(3)oftheExchangeAct,15 26U.S.C.§78u(d)(3). 27III 28III 8 ------------------------------ 1 • VI. • 2Issue,ina fonnconsistentwithFed.R.Civ.P.65,anorderappointinga receiverover 3DefendantShidaalExpressandtheassetsthereof. 4VII. 5Retainjurisdictionofthisactioninaccordancewiththeprinciplesofequityandthe 6FederalRilles ofCivilProcedureinordertoimplementandcarryoutthetermsofallordersand 7decreesthat maybeentered,ortoentertainanysuitableapplicationormotionforadditional 8reliefwithinthejurisdiction ofthisCourt. 9VIII. 10GrantsuchotherandfurtherreliefasthisCourtmaydeterminetobejustandnecessary. 11 1'2DATED:November18,2009 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9 ~ • DavidS.Brown AttorneyforPlaintiff SecuritiesandExchangeCommission ~JS44(Rev.12/07) CIVILCOVERSHEET TheJS44civilcoversheetandtheinformationcontainedhereinneitherreplacenorsupplementthefilingandserviceofpleadingsorotherpapersasrequiredbylaw,exceptasprovided by10~a.1rulesofcourt.Thisform,approvedbytheJudicialConferenceoftheUnitedStatesinSeptember1974,isrequiredfor!!le~~eoftheClerkofCourtforthepurposeofmitiating thecIvildocketsheet.(SEEINSTRUCTIONSONTHEREVERSEOFTHEFORM.)Ie1*(:~.d II.BASISOFJURISDICTION(Placean"X"inOneBoxOnly) (b)CountyofResidenceofFirstListedPlaintiff (EXCEPTINU.S.PLAINTIFFCASES) I.(a)PLAINTIFFS SECURITIESANDEXCHANGECOMMISSION DEF 0 I lucorporated orPrincipalPlace ofBusiuessInTIlisState o202 Incorporated andPrincipalPlace050 5 ofBusinessInAnotherState o30 3ForeignNation0 6 0 6 Citizeu ofAnothcrState CirizenorSubject ofa, Forei!l1Count CitizeilofTIlisState t; III. o3FederalQuesrion (U.S.GovernmentNota Pany) o4Diversity (IudicateCitizenship ofPartiesiuItemIII) (c)Attol11ey's(FinnName,Address,andTelephoneNnmber) David S.Brown,Esq(323)965-3998 SecuritiesandExchangeCommission 5670WilshireBoulevard11thFloorLosAnelesCA90036 o2U.S.Govennnent Defendant C!l:IU.S.Government Plainriff IVNATUREOFSUIT(Placeau"X"inOneBoxOnlv) CONTRAGT . ,. TORTS:·FORFEITURE/PENALTY<,. },~ ,_,'BANKRUPTCY» )!~" WH',,:;OTHERSTATUTES:"" o110In'surance PERSONALINJURY PERSONALINJURYo610Ab";culture o422Appeal28USC158 0 400StateReapportioument o120Marine 0 310Airplane 0 362PersonalInjury-o620Otl,crFood&Dmgo423Withdrawal 0 410Anritmst 0'130MillerAct 0 315AirplaneProductMed.Malpracrice o625DmgRelatedSeizure 28USC\57 0 430BanksandBankiug '0\40Negotiablelustmment Liability 0 365PersonalInjury- ofProperty2\USC881 0 450Commerce 0 150Recovery ofOverpayment 0 320Assault,Libel & ProductLiabilityo630LiquorLaws PRAPFJITYRI:HTs 0 460Deponarion &EnforcementofJudgment Slander 0 368AsbestosPersonal o640R.R.&Trucko820Copyrights0 470RacketeerInnuencedaud 0151MedicareAct 0 330FederalEmployers'InjuryProduct o650AirlineRegs.o830Patent Co";'uptOrganizarions o152RecoveryofDefaulted LiabilityLiability o6600ccuparional o840Trademark 0 480ConsumerCredit StudeutLoans 0 340Marine PERSONALPROPERTY SafetylHealth. 0 490Cable/SatTV (Exc!.Veterans) 0 345MarineProduct 0 370OtherFraud o690Other0 8\0 SelecriveSeNice 0 153RecoveryofOverpayment Liability 0 371TnnhinLendingLAIIOR :,SOCIALSECURITY, a 850SecuririeslCouunoditiesl ofVeterau'sBenefits 0350MotorVehicle 0 380OtherPersonalo710FairLaborStandardso861HIA(l395fl) Exchange o160Stockholders'Suits 0 355MotorVehiclePropertyDamage Act o862BlackLung(923) 0 875CustomerChallenge 0 190OtherContract ProductLiability 0 ' 385PropertyDamage o720Labor/Mgmt.Relationso863DIWC/D1WW(405(g») 12USC3410 o195ContractProductLiability 0 360OtherPersonal ProductLiability o730Labor/Mgnlt.Reportingo864ssmTitleXVI0 890OtherStatutoryActions o196Franchise luiury &DisclosureAct o865RSI(405(g)) 0 891AgriculturalActs REAl;PROPERTY ", :CI.VIr.;'RIGHTSt<,'l'"PRISONER:PETITIONS o740RailwayLaborAct lillY':FEDERAI3,·TAX·SUlTS:0'!'3i:q: 0 892EconomicStabilizarionAct o210LandCondemuation 0 441Voring 0 510MorionstoVacate o790OtherLaborLirigation o870Taxes(U.S.Plaintiff 0 893EnvironmentalMatters o220Foreclosure 0 442Employment Sentenceo791Emp!.Ret.Inc. orDefendant) 0 894EnergyAllocariouAct o230RentLease&Ejectment 0443Housing!HabeasCorpus:SecurityAct o871'IRS-ThirdParty 0 895FreedomofInfonnation o240TortstoLand Accommodations 0 530General 26USC7609 Act o245TortProductLiability 0 444Welfare 0 535DeathPenalty '-f---'~ 'H:, IMMIGRATI0I'!V7i:i ~",,;.;e; 0 900AppealofFeeDetemlination "~'-;'",-' o290AllOtllerRealProperty 0 445Amer.w/Disabilities- 0540Mandamus&Othero462NanlralizationApplicarion UnderEqualAccess Employment 0 550CivilRightso463HabeasCorpus- toJustice 0 446Amer.w/Disabilities- 0 555PrisonCondirionAlienDetainee0 950Consriturionality of Other o465OtherImmigration StateStatutes 0 440OtherCivilRights Actions V.ORIGIN ~IOriginal Proceeding (Placean"X"inOneBoxOnly) o2Removedfrom0 3 StateCourt Remandedfrom0 4Reinstatedor05Transferredfrom0 6Multidistrict AppellateCourtReopenedanoth~rdistrictLitigation seClf o7 AppealtoDistrict Judgefrom Magistrate Judment CitetheU.S.CivilStatuteunderwhichyouarefiling(Donotcitejurisdictionalstatutesunlessdiversity): VI.CAUSEOFACTION1-,_,15_Uo_S_,C_.§:..7_7~q(;.,.a:.:..);_15_U_._S._C....:.§:.,.7_8:.:.j(b...:;),;...a_nd_1_7_C_.F_.R_...:;§_2_40_.1_0_b-_5_ Briefdescriptionofcause: TheComplaintallegesviolationsofthefederalsecuritieslaws. VII.REQUESTEDIN COMPLAINT: oCHECKIFTHISISACLASSACTIONDEMAND$ UNDERF.R.C.P.23 CHECKYESonlyifdemandedincomplaint: JURYDEMAND:0YesgJNo VIII.RELATEDCASE(S) IFANY DATE FOROFFICEUSEONLY (Seeinstrucrions): JUDGE ~ DOCKETNUMBER RECEIPT#AMOUNT ---------- APPLYINGIFP ------ JUDGE ----- MAG.JUDGE ------- ----~~
• • ORIGINAL 1 JOHN M. McCOY III, Cal. BarNo. 166244 E-mail: [email protected] 2 ALKA N. PATEL, Cal. BarNo. 175505 E-mail: [email protected] 3 DAVID S. BROWN, Cal. BarNo. 134569 E-mail: [email protected] ·ZDD~ NOV i 9 AH 9: 25 5 4 6 Securities and Exchange Commission Rosalind R. Tyson, Regional Director Michele Wein Layne, Associate Regional Director 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11 th Floor Los Angeles, California 90036 7 Telephone: (323) 965-3998 Facsimile: (323) 965-3908 "~I UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Case No. SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA / '09 CV 2610 JM POR. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 8 9 10 11 12 COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS',. Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 1 of 11 • • 1 Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") alleges as follows: 2 JURISDICTION AND VENUE 3 1. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20(b), 20(d)(1) 4 and 22(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d)(I) & 5 77v(a), and Sections 21 (d)(l), 21 (d)(3)(A), 21(e) and 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 6 ("Exchange Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d)(l), 78u(d)(3)(A), 78u(e), and 78aa. The Defendants 7 have, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of 8 the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange in connection with the transactions, 9 acts, practices and courses ofbusiness alleged in this Complaint. 10 2. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to Section 22(a) of the Securities Act, 15 11 U.S.C. § 77v(a), and Section 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aa, because certain of the 12 transactions, acts, practices, and courses of conduct constituting the violations alleged herein 13 occurred within this district, the entity defendant is located in this district, and the individual 14 defendant resides in this district. 15 SUMMARY 16 3. This action has been filed to halt an ongoing secUrities fraud scheme targeting 17 members of the Somali immigrant community who live in San Diego, Seattle, and elsewhere. 18 Since at least 2006, Defendant Mohamud Abdi Ahmed ("Ahmed") has raised at least $3 million 19 from over 40 investors - including $200,000 from a San Diego mosque - for his purported stock 20 trading and financial services business operated through Defendant Shidaal Express, Inc. 21 ("Shidaal Express"). Ahmed made false promises of exorbitant returns of 5% per month - or 22 60% per year - claiming that for each $10,000 investment made by an'investor, the investor 23 would receive $500 a month. Ahmed represented he would generate those returns from trading 24 stocks and there was no risk of loss. Ahmed told investors their money was safe and he had a 25 history of good results. Ahmed promised investors, many ofwhom invested in cash or cashier's 26 checks, he would repay their principal at any time upon their request. Investors initially received 27 some of the purported monthly returns, many of which were paid in cash, but Ahmed ceased 28 making these payments late last year. Since Ahmed stopped paying monthly returns, he has been 1 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 2 of 11 • • 1 lulling investors with false promises of repayment ofprincipal and/or falsely claiming that he 2 could not repay them because the government had seized his assets. Several investors invested 3 their life's savings with Ahmed because others in the Somali community had invested with 4 Ahmed, received promised returns, and trusted him. 5 4. Ahmed also solicited money for his money transfer business and made 6 misrepresentations to investors about the use of investor proceeds. Ahmed claimed he was 7 raising money to obtain a money transfer license, but actually was trying to buy an interest in 8 another money transfer company. Ahmed's purchase of that interest was unsuccessful. Ahmed 9 misappropriated investors' funds by claiming to sell them shares in his money transfer business, 10 but investors who received Shidaal Express stock certificates do not appear on a list of Shidaal 11 Express shareholders Ahmed prepared. 12 5. Shidaal Express continues to maintain a website which touts the company's stock 13 trading business and, as recent!y as November 9, 2009, a sign posted outside a Shidaal Express 14 store in San Diego advertises "Investment Opportunities." 15 6. The Defendants, by engaging in the conduct described in this Complaint, have 16 violated, and unless enjoined ~i11 continue to violate, the antifraud provisions of the federal 17 securities laws. 18 THE DEFENDANTS 19 7. Mohamud Abdi Ahmed, age 45, is a resident of Spring Valley, California. 20 Ahmed is the CEO, president, secretary, chainnan and founder of Shidaal Express. Ahmed does 21 not hold any securities licenses and is not registered as or associated with an investment adviser. 22 8. Shidaal Express, Inc. is a California corporation located in San Diego, 23 California. It was also incorporated in Minnesota and Washington state. It is not registered with 24 the Commission in any capacity and it has not registered any offering of its securities under the 25 Securities Act or a class of securities under the Exchange Act. Shidaal Express is controlled by 26 Ahmed. 27 III 28 III 2 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 3 of 11 • • 1 FACTS 2 The Defendants Operate a Fraudulent Scheme 3 Background 4 9. Ahmed formed Shidaal Express in 2006 to provide check-cashing~ money 5 transfer~ and other similar services for the Somali immigrant community. Shidaal Express 6 operates stores in the San Diego area and may operate in other cities with large Somali 7 communities. Since 2007 ~ Shidaal Express has been registered as .a Money Service Business by 8 the U.S. Treasury Department~s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Certain business 9 listings on the Internet describe Shidaal Express as a "one stop convenience center for all bill 10 pays~ money orders~ money wirings~ check cashing and prepaid debit cards." Among the 11 services touted on a sign at one Shidaal Express storefront in San Diego is: "Investment 12 Opportunities." This sign was visible as recently as November 9~ 2009. 13 10. Shidaal Express currently maintains a website~ www.shidaal.com~ which is 14 registered to Ahmed and another company he controls. The website does not reference Shidaal 15 Express" money transfer services and provides no relevant information about the company or its 16 operations other than listing Ahmed as its chairman and CEO. Instead~ the website provides 17 stock recommendations~ daily stock forecasts~ and other information about stock trading. 18 Specifically~ the website shows "Daily Real Time Trades" and invites the viewer to "Come here 19 and watch our real time trades." The website claims to serve ''The Happiest ~ustomers" and 20 invites viewers to register for the site to receive ..email notification updates" and other things that 21 are password protected. The website contains a lengthy "Disclaimef~ claiming it is -not involved 22 in investment advisory and securities-related activities under the federal securities laws. 23 Ahmed's Investment Scheme 24 11. Since at least 2006~ Ahmed has raised at least $3 million from more than 40 25 investors in the Somali immigrant community in San Diego~ Seattle~ and elsewhere. Several 26 investors knew ofAhmed through a mosque in San Diego, which itself invested $200~000 with 27 Ahmed. Ahmed directly solicited some investors including giving presentations to prospective 28 investors at a hotel near the Seattle-Tacoma airport in 2008. Ahmed offered to pay $500 3 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 4 of 11 • • 13. Several investors invested their life's savings with Ahmed because others in the Somali community had invested with him, they said they received promised returns, and they said they trusted him. Investors often invested in cash or with cashier's checks. 14. Ahmed did not give investors any documents about the investment before they invested. Ahmed did not provide any documents or receipts to acknowledge investments. Ahmed did not provide investors with any account statements. Until late 2008, investors received monthly returns usually in cash or in some cases through payments to relatives. 15. The Defendants had securities brokerage accounts, most of them in Ahmed's own name, which were used to engage in risky securities trading strategies that do not appear to have generated profits sufficient to pay investors the returns of 5% per month promised by Ahmed. 16. Ahmed also solicited funds for his money transfer business. Ahmed represented to at least one investor in 2008 that he needed to raise $1.2 million to obtain a license forhis money transfer business, claiming to have already raised $600,000. In those instances, Ahmed promised to issue shares of Shidaal Express exchange for investor funds. In other instances, however, Ahmed simply rolled-over investors' prior investments into Shidaal Express without their consent. For example, an investor who previously invested $10,000 for the 5% monthly return later invested $40,000 to acquire shares of Shidaal Express and $30,000 for another separate investment. Ahmed, however, gave the investor a stock certificate for the entire $70,000 investment, even though $10,000 had been made for the fixed-return investment. The 1 cOmmission to existing investors for each new investor they referred. Other investors 2 approached Ahmed by referral from existing investors or through word ofmouth in the Somali 3 community. 4 12. Ahmed promised investors a guaranteed 5% monthly return (i.e., 60% annually), 5 payable on a morithly basis. Ahmed claimed he generated returns from stock trading. Ahmed 6 touted his prior education and experience as a stock trader and claimed he had never lost any 7 money. Ahmed insisted on investments in increments of $1 0,000, which he told some investors 8 qQuld only be made in cash. Ahmed assured investors they could request the money back at any 9 time. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 4 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 5 of 11 • • 1 investor neither consented to the rollover nor received any meaningful response when he 2 questioned Ahmed about it. Ahmed rolled-over other investors in a similar fashion. 3 17. In late 2007 the Defendants sought to acquire a 49% interest in a San Diego-area 4 money transfer company licensed by the California Department ofFinancial Institutions ("DFI"). 5 As part of the transaction, Shidaal Express agreed to make a capital contribution in excess of 6 $500,000 into that company, which filed an application with the DFI to seek approval of the 7 transaction. DFI conditionally approved the transaction in late 2008, and required Shidaal 8 Express to make a $500,000 capital contribution. Shidaal Express failed to make this 9 contribution. On July 1, 2009, DFI terminated its approval of the transaction. 10 Fraudulent Misrepresentations and Omissions 11 18. Ahmed, who has never been licensed as a securities professional, orally promised 12 investors guaranteed 5% per month, or 60 % annual, returns on their investment. Although he 13 initially paid the promised returns, Ahmed stopped making these payments in late 2008. Despite i 4 investors' repeated requests that Ahmed honor his promises, he has failed to pay them any 15 returns. 16 19. Ahmed promised investors that he would repay their principal at any time upon 17 request. Although investors have demanded return of their principal, since late 2008, Ahmed has 18 failed to return their funds. Instead, Ahmed has lulled investors into believing that their 19 investments are safe. To pacify some investors, Ahmed made small payments by check, which 20 were returned for insufficient funds. Ahmed misrepresented to several investors that he could 21 not repay them because the government had seized his assets. Ahmed threatened some investors 22 who were inclined to cooperate with the FBI by telling them that he and his associates had a lot 23 of "money and power." In another instance, from April to July 2009, Ahmed tried to extract 24 even more money from one unemployed investor by falsely promising him a position in a new 25 Shidaal Express location in San Jose, California, in exchange for additional funds. At least two 26 investors have retained an attorney and threatened to file a lawsuit against Ahmed. Ahmed told 27 several investors if they sued, they would get nothing. 28 20. . Ahmed misused investor funds raised for the money transfer business. Ahmed 5 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 6 of 11 • • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 gave certain investors Shidaal Express stock certificates, but these investors do not appear do not appear as shareholders on documents prepared by the Defendants. This shareholderlist, updated as ofMay 12,2009, purportedly included the names and ownership interests ofall Shidaal Express shareholders, but at least three investors who received Shidaal Express stock certificates from Ahmed before May 2009 were not on the list. 21. Ahmed represented to at least one investor in 2008 that he was raising money to obtain a money transfer license, which he claimed would prove profitable for Shidaal Express. However, Shidaal Express was operating during this time as an authorized Money Service Business under federal financial regulations and as an agent for a California-licensed money transfer company. As such, Shidaal Express was already engaged in that business and presumably had the appropriate registrati~ns and licenses to do so. During that time, the Defendants were not working on obtaining a California license for Shidaal Express; rather, they were attempting to acquire an interest in another entity and it appears that the Defendants intended to use investors' money to pay the $500,000 consideration for acquiring that interest instead of obtaining their own license, which was not disclosed to.investors. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF FRAUD IN.THE OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES Violations of Section 17(a) Of the Securities Act (Against Defendants Shidaal Express and Ahmed) 22. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 21 above. with scienter, employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; obtained money or property by means of untrue statements of a material fact or by omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the b. a. 22 23. Defendants Ahmed and Shidaal Express, and each of them, by engaging in the 23 conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in the offer or sale of securities by the use of 24 means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the 25 mails: 26 27 28 6 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 7 of 11 " • • statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were c. 25. made, not misleading; or engaged in transactions, practices, or courses ofbusiness which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser. 24. By engaging in the conduct described above, Defendants Ahmed and Shidaal Express, and each of them, violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a). SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH THE PuRCHASE OR SALE OF SECURITIES Violations of Section lO(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule lOb-5 Thereunder (Against Defendants Shidaal Express and Ahmed) The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 above. 14 26. Defendants Ahmed and Shidaal Express, and each of them, by engaging in the 15 conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a 16 security, by the use ofmeans or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the 17 facilities of a national securities exchange, with scienter: 18 a. employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; 19 b. made untrue statements of a material fact or omitted to state a material 20 fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the 21 circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or 22 c. engaged in acts, practices, or courses ofbusiness which operated or would 23 operate as a fraud or deceit upon other persons. 24 27. By engaging in the conduct described above, Defendants Ahmed and Shidaal 25 Express, and each ,of them, violated, and unless'restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, 26 Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 27 240.lOb-5. 28 III 7 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 8 of 11 • • 1 PRAYER FOR RELIEF 2 WHEREFORE, the Commission respectfully requests that the Court: 3 L 4 Issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that Defendant Ahmed and Shidaal Express . 5 committed the alleged violations. 6 li 7 issue judgments, in a form consistent with Rule 65(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil 8 Procedure, temporarily, preliminarily, and permanently enjoining Defendants Ahmed and 9 Shidaal Express, and their officers, agents, servants, employees and attorneys, and those in active 10 concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of the order by personal 11 service or otherwise, and each of them, from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 12 U.S.C. § 77q(a), and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule lOb-5 13 thereunder, 17 C.f.R. § 240.10b-5. 14 III. 15 Issue, in a form consistent with Rule 65 of the Federal Rules ofCivil Procedure, a 16 temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction freezing the assets of each of the 17 Defendants and any entity affiliated with any ofthem, prohibiting each of the Defendants from 18 destroying documents, granting expedited discovery, and requiring accountings from each ofthe 19 Defendants. 20 IV. 21 Order the Defendants to disgorge all ill-gotten gains from the illegal conduct alleged 22 herein, together with prejudgment interest thereon. 23 v. 24 Order Defendants Ahmed and Shidaal Express to pay civil penalties pursuant to Section 25 20(d) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §77t(d) and Section 21 (d)(3) of the Exchange Act, 15 26 U.S.C. §78u(d)(3). 27 III 28 III 8 Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 9 of 11 ------------------------------ 1 • VI. • 2 Issue, in a fonn consistent with Fed. R. Civ. P. 65, an order appointing a receiver over 3 Defendant Shidaal Express and the assets thereof. 4 VII. 5 Retain jurisdiction of this action in accordance with the principles of equity and the 6 Federal Rilles of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all orders and 7 decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable application or motion for additional 8 relief within the jurisdiction of this Court. 9 VIII. 10 Grant such other and further relief as this Court may determine to be just and necessary. 11 1'2 DATED: November 18, 2009 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9 ~• David S. Brown Attorney for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 10 of 11 ~JS 44 (Rev. 12/07) CIVIL COVER SHEET The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service ofpleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by 10~a.1 rules ofcourt. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for !!le ~~e of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose ofmitiating the cIvil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE OF THE FORM.) Ie 1* (:~. d II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an "X" in One Box Only) (b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff (EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) I. (a) PLAINTIFFS SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DEF 0 I lucorporated or Principal Place of Busiuess In TIlis State o 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Another State o 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 0 6 Citizeu of Anothcr State Cirizen or Subject of a, Forei !l1 Count Citizeil of TIl is State t; III. o 3 Federal Quesrion (U.S. Government Not a Pany) o 4 Diversity (Iudicate Citizenship of Parties iu Item III) (c) Attol11ey's (Finn Name, Address, and Telephone Nnmber) David S. Brown, Esq (323) 965-3998 Securities and Exchange Commission 5670 Wilshire Boulevard 11th Floor Los An eles CA 90036 o 2 U.S. Govennnent Defendant C!l: I U.S. Government Plainriff IV NATURE OF SUIT (Place au "X" in One Box Onlv) CONTRAGT . ,. TORTS: ·FORFEITURE/PENALTY<,. },~ , _,'BANKRUPTCY» )!~" WH',,:;OTHER STATUTES:"" o 110 In'surance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY o 610 Ab";culture o 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 0 400 State Reapportioument o 120 Marine 0 310 Airplane 0 362 Personal Injury - o 620 Otl,cr Food & Dmg o 423 Withdrawal 0 410 Anritmst 0'130 Miller Act 0 315 Airplane Product Med. Malpracrice o 625 Dmg Related Seizure 28 USC \57 0 430 Banks and Bankiug '0 \40 Negotiable lustmment Liability 0 365 Personal Injury - of Property 2\ USC 881 0 450 Commerce 0 150 Recovery ofOverpayment 0 320 Assault, Libel & Product Liability o 630 Liquor Laws PRAPFJITYRI :HTs 0 460 Deponarion & Enforcement ofJudgment Slander 0 368 Asbestos Personal o 640 R.R. & Truck o 820 Copyrights 0 470 Racketeer Innuenced aud 0 151 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers' Injury Product o 650 Airline Regs. o 830 Patent Co";'upt Organizarions o 152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability Liability o 6600ccuparional o 840 Trademark 0 480 Consumer Credit Studeut Loans 0 340 Marine PERSONAL PROPERTY SafetylHealth . 0 490 Cable/Sat TV (Exc!. Veterans) 0 345 Marine Product 0 370 Other Fraud o 690 Other 0 8\ 0 Selecrive SeNice 0 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability 0 371 Tnnh in Lending LAIIOR :,SOCIALSECURITY, a 850 SecuririeslCouunoditiesl ofVeterau's Benefits 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 380 Other Personal o 710 Fair Labor Standards o 861 HIA (l395fl) Exchange o 160 Stockholders' Suits 0 355 Motor Vehicle Property Damage Act o 862 Black Lung (923) 0 875 Customer Challenge 0 190 Other Contract Product Liability 0 ' 385 Property Damage o 720 Labor/Mgmt. Relations o 863 DIWC/D1WW (405(g») 12 USC3410 o 195 Contract Product Liability 0 360 Other Personal Product Liability o 730 Labor/Mgnlt.Reporting o 864 ssm Title XVI 0 890 Other Statutory Actions o 196 Franchise luiury & Disclosure Act o 865 RSI (405(g)) 0 891 Agricultural Acts REAl; PROPERTY " , :CI.VIr.;'RIGHTSt<,'l '" PRISONER:PETITIONS o 740 Railway Labor Act lillY': FEDERAI3,·TAX·SUlTS:0'!'3i:q: 0 892 Economic Stabilizarion Act o 210 Land Condemuation 0 441 Voring 0 510 Morions to Vacate o 790 Other Labor Lirigation o 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff 0 893 Environmental Matters o 220 Foreclosure 0 442 Employment Sentence o 791 Emp!. Ret. Inc. or Defendant) 0 894 Energy Allocariou Act o 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 0 443 Housing! Habeas Corpus: Security Act o 871' IRS-Third Party 0 895 Freedom of Infonnation o 240 Torts to Land Accommodations 0 530 General 26 USC 7609 Act o 245 Tort Product Liability 0 444 Welfare 0 535 Death Penalty '-f---'~ 'H:, IMMIGRATI0I'!V7i:i ~",,;.;e; 0 900Appeal of Fee Detemlination"~'-;'",-' o 290 All Otller Real Property 0 445 Amer. w/Disabilities- 0 540 Mandamus & Other o 462 Nanlralization Applicarion Under Equal Access Employment 0 550 Civil Rights o 463 Habeas Corpus - to Justice 0 446 Amer. w/Disabilities- 0 555 Prison Condirion Alien Detainee 0 950 Consriturionality of Other o 465 Other Immigration State Statutes 0 440 Other Civil Rights Actions V. ORIGIN ~ I Original Proceeding (Place an "X" in One Box Only) o 2 Removed from 0 3 State Court Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Appellate Court Reopened anoth~rdistrict Litigation s eClf o 7 Appeal to District Judge from Magistrate Jud ment Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity): VI. CAUSE OF ACTION 1-,_,15_Uo_S_,C_.§:..7_7~q(;.,.a:.:..); _15_U_._S._C....:.§:.,.7_8:.:.j(b...:;),;...a_nd_1_7_C_.F_.R_...:;§_2_40_.1_0_b-_5 _ Brief description of cause: The Complaint alleges violations of the federal securities laws. VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT: o CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND $ UNDER F.R.C.P. 23 CHECK YES only ifdemanded in complaint: JURY DEMAND: 0 Yes gJ No VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY DATE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY (See instrucrions): JUDGE ~ DOCKET NUMBER RECEIPT # AMOUNT---- ------ APPLYING IFP------ JUDGE----- MAG. JUDGE------- ----~~ Case 3:09-cv-02610-JM-POR Document 1 Filed 11/19/09 Page 11 of 11