Securities Fraud Investigator
Where Investigation Meets
Innovation
Where Investigation Meets Innovation
Joe Darragh is a former SEC investigator who spent a decade dismantling microcap fraud, and built proprietary technology to do it. Today he brings that same depth to your matter.
Former SEC Investigator
Nine years as the principal investigator for the SEC’s Microcap Fraud Task Force.
Microcap Fraud Expert
Subject matter expert in pump-and-dumps, market manipulation & Section 5 violations.
Developer & Data Scientist
Advanced analytical strategies learnt working in partnership with federal regulators & DARPA.
Securities Fraud Cases Are Won or Lost On The Strength of the Analysis
The evidence in microcap stock matters can be overwhelming. Millions of trades, hundreds of thousands of documents, opaque corporate structures designed to hide the truth. If you don’t understand how microcap fraud works, and where to focus, critical evidence stays buried.
Joe has spent a career making sure it doesn’t
A Securities Investigator Who Builds the Tools to Find the Truth
Joe Darragh spent nearly a decade inside the SEC as the principal investigator for the Microcap Fraud Task Force on complex, cross-border investigations into pump-and-dump schemes, market manipulation, and illegal securities distributions. Hundreds of trading suspensions. Dozens of investigations. Over $700 million in fraud.
What makes Joe different: He doesn’t just investigate fraud, he engineers the tools to detect it. Custom analytical platforms, AI-assisted document review, and advanced analytical methods developed while working with the SEC, FBI, and other regulators .
Since leaving the SEC in 2022, Joe continues to bring this combination of investigative rigor and technical innovation to private practice.
CFE Since 2009
American Mensa
Services
How Joe Can Help With Your Matter
Joe works with law firms, brokerage firms, investors, government agencies, and corporations in securities investigations and litigation.
Fraud Investigations
Assess the facts, formulate strategy, collect and analyze evidence, and deliver clear analysis that stands up to scrutiny.
Litigation Support
Embedded support on your legal team to help with document review, financial analysis, settlement calculations, & evidence assessment.
Expert Witness
Expert reports, declarations, and testimony related to microcap fraud, the OTC Markets, market manipulation, & reverse mergers, among others.
Meet the Investigator
About Joe Darragh
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. 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.
Since departing the SEC, Joe continues to work in the Microcap space in private practice, and is working to simplify investor education while harnessing the potential of AI in the fight against fraud.
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)
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
Credentials
Learn more about Joe’s credentials below.
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)
Request Consultation
Ready to Discuss Your Matter?
Share a few details about your matter. Joe will review and respond within 48 hours. If it makes sense to work together, we’ll schedule a virtual consultation.