About Joseph Darragh

Microcap Fraud
Subject Matter Expert

Complex securities matters aren’t won by credentials alone. They’re won by people who understand how microcap fraud actually works, who know where to focus, and who have the technical skill to cut through the noise.

CFE Since 2009

Fmr. SEC Investigator

American Mensa

Investigator. Developer.
Certified Fraud Examiner.

Joe Darragh combines three disciplines rarely found in one practitioner: hands-on investigative experience from inside the SEC, the skills of a developer and data scientist, and deep subject-matter expertise in microcap fraud.

It’s a proven framework developed over a career spent running complex, cross-border investigations into pump-and-dump schemes, market manipulation, and illegal securities distributions.

The work earned multiple SEC Director’s Awards, the Chairman’s Award, and recognition from the FBI for his role in one of the largest offshore securities fraud cases the Bureau has prosecuted.

  • 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

Learn more about Joe’s credentials below.

Admissions

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)

A Securities Investigator Who Builds the Tools to Find the Truth

Joe Darragh combines three disciplines rarely found in one practitioner: hands-on investigative experience from inside the SEC, the skills of a developer and data scientist, and deep subject-matter expertise in microcap fraud. It’s a proven framework developed over a career spent running complex, cross-border investigations into pump-and-dump schemes, market manipulation, and illegal securities distributions. The work earned multiple SEC Director’s Awards, the Chairman’s Award, and recognition from the FBI for his role in one of the largest offshore securities fraud cases the Bureau has prosecuted.

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, .

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

Clear evidence. Credible analysis.
Defensible conclusions.

When your matter requires an investigator who combines field experience, data science, and purpose-built technology, the result is analysis that holds up.

working at IRS & SEC
13 years
aggregate frad across matters
$ 700 Million+
civil complaints
30 +
parallel criminal matters
10 +

13+ years

as an investigator working for the federal government

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.

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.

OTC Markets Research

Contributing expert on the SEC's landmark study of OTC investor outcomes.

Joe served as contributor and microcap subject-matter expert for Outcomes of Investing in OTC Stocks, a white paper by the SEC’s Division of Economic and Risk Analysis analyzing retail-investor harm in the OTC markets.

Authored by Joshua White, the study established the empirical foundation for understanding how retail investors are harmed in OTC markets. Findings that directly informed regulatory policy and market reform.

Download white paper (pdf)
cover page thumbnail of Outcome of Investing in OTC Stocks

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.

or email [email protected]