Microcap Fraud Subject Matter Expert

Joe Darragh is a Certified Fraud Examiner and former SEC Investigator that helps you find the facts so you can deliver a clear, engaging message to your audience.

Securities Fraud Investigator

Microcap Fraud Subject Matter Expert

Joe Darragh is a Certified Fraud Examiner and former SEC Investigator that helps you find the facts so you can deliver a clear, engaging message to your audience.

Impartial Witness

Engaging Speaker

Data-Driven Approach

Expert Witness

Engaging Speaker

Data-Driven Approach

Finding The Truth Isn't Always Easy

Whether you’re analyzing an investment, communicating with investors, or investigating potential wrongdoing, the facts matter.

Without a strategic approach, the truth can be hard to find.

Are you dealing with:

Misappropriated funds?
Market manipulation?
Misleading statements?
Fraudulent issuers?
Predatory lenders?

The right strategy makes all the difference.

Fraud prevention should be proactive, not reactive.

A Modern, Holistic Approach To Fraud Prevention & Detection

Do you ever wonder how you can possibly get it all done? It’s time to start leveraging systems & processes that make fraud prevention, detection and compliance easier.

Joe Darragh is a Certified Fraud Examiner, data scientist and digital marketing expert with over a decade of experience investigating and litigating fraud around the globe.

With a unique expertise in investigations, systems development, copywriting, and search engine optimization Joe helps you find and present the facts, where ever they are.

Joe Darragh provides consulting services to brokerage firms, law firms, governments, and corporations to assist in investigations, litigation, and development of analytical tools. Here are a few services Joe can help with.

Investigations & Reporting

Identify the facts, learn your audience and deliver a clear, thorough message that is engaging and easy for people to follow.

Fraud Consulting

Work with an experienced fraud examiner and data scientist to make your investigations more efficient and litigation more likely to succeed.

System Architecture

Strategize and develop fraud detection systems that leverage data analytics and machine learning for investigations and monitoring.

Here’s a bit more about Joe’s qualifications and experience so you can learn if he might be a good fit to work with.

About

Joe Darragh is a Certified Fraud Examiner, data scientist and Microcap Fraud Subject Matter Expert. From 2013-2022 Joe served as the principal investigator for the SEC’s Microcap Fraud Task Force.

During his tenure at the SEC, Joe helped to reinvent methods for detecting and analyzing pump and dump schemes, while partnering closely with the FBI, DOJ, IRS, and foreign regulators to combat Microcap fraud around the globe.

Joe has worked on 100s of trading suspensions and dozens of investigations totaling over $700 million in fraud. Most notably those resulting in litigation against:

● IPC Corporate Services,
● Legacy Global Markets,
● Beaufort Securities &
● Blacklight S.A.

Joe also served as a Microcap specialist for the development of the Consolidated Audit Trail, the Microcap Fraud Early Alert Tool, Amendments to Rule 15c-211 and DARPA’s Memex project among others.

In 2022, Joe left the SEC to fight a different type of fraud – scams against homeowners. As the co-founder of Pillar Digital Marketing, Joe is working to reduce fraud in the home services industry by helping the most qualified local businesses stand out over their unqualified competitors.

Joe also continues to work in the Microcap space as an independent investigator, and is working to simplify investor education while harnessing the potential of AI in the fight against fraud.

Experience

Co-Founder, Pillar Digital Marketing

Reducing fraud in the home services industry by making it easier for the best businesses to stand out (Current)

Created Local Marketing Blueprint for Service Businesses
Specializes in brand messaging, SEO and creation of helpful content

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission

Lead Investigator, Microcap Fraud Task Force (2015-2022)
Contractor, Microcap Fraud Task Force (2013-2015)

Internal Revenue Service

Revenue Officer, Small Business/Self-Employed (2009-2013)

Recognition

United States Securities and Exchange Commission Director’s Award (2020): For outstanding contribution to SEC v. Honig, et al.; SEC v. William Scott Lawler and Natalie Bannister
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Analytics Innovation Award Nominee (2019)
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman’s Award (2019): In recognition for NYRO’s Community-Based Fraud Conference to serve the interests of main street investors
United States Securities and Exchange Commission New York Regional Office Charles O. LeRoux Awarrd (2018): In recognition of extraordinary contributions to the NYRO and the SEC as a whole.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Director’s Award (2018): For outstanding contribution to SEC v. Beaufort Securities Ltd.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Director’s Award (2017): For outstanding contribution to SEC v. Lin; SEC v. Contrarian Press et al.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Recognition for Outstanding Assistance in United States v. Robert Bandfield, et al.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Director’s Award (2016): For outstanding contribution to Microcap Fraud Task Force

Leadership

Principal Investigator, SEC Microcap Fraud Task Force (2013-2022)
Co-Chair of Microcap Fraud Microcap Fraud Working Group (2019-2022)
Speaker, FINRA’s National Cause Financial Crimes Threat Intelligence Panel (2020)
Founding Member, Alberta Securities Commission Cross-Border Microcap Fraud Initiative (2017-2022)
Contributor & Microcap Subject Matter Expert, “Outcomes of Investing in OTC Stocks” White Paper by Joshua White (2016)
Founding Member, Dark Web Working Group (2016-2022)
Microcap Fraud Subject Matter Expert, DARPA Memex Project (2015-2016)

Credentials

Admissions

Certified Fraud Examiner (2009-Present)
American MENSA (2013-Present)

Education

Associates in Marketing from Westchester Community College (2006)
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a Minor in Economics from Pace Lubin School of Business, graduated with honors (2009)
Master’s in Accountancy from University of Phoenix (2010)