What Is Securities Fraud?

Securities fraud, also referred to as investment fraud, is a type of serious white-collar crime that can be committed in a variety of forms but primarily involves misrepresenting information investors use to make decisions.
The perpetrator of the fraud can be an individual, such as a stockbroker. Or it can be an organization, such as a brokerage firm, corporation, or investment bank. Independent individuals might also commit this type of fraud through schemes such as insider trading.