DOJ publishes information for victims of alleged binary options fraudster Lee Elbaz
The US Government also points to criminal proceedings against Lissa Mel – another member of the conspiracy involving BinaryBook and BigOption.
Further to being granted Court approval to use alternative notification procedures with regard to the victims of alleged binary options fraudster Lee Elbaz, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a dedicated webpage.
The website provides a summary of the case, information regarding the case’s status, and other significant case-related documents, such as the charging documents. The website also contains an e-mail address and telephone number for a Victim Assistance Line through which individual potential crime victims could contact the Department of Justice with questions regarding the case.
Let’s recall that when granting its approval for setting up the webpage, the Court took into account there are “multiple crime victims” in the case which targets the former CEO of Israel-based Yukom Communications. The company provided investor “retention” services for two websites, known as BinaryBook and BigOption.
Interestingly, the webpage for the victims of Lee Elbaz also mentions a related case against defendant Lissa Mel.
FinanceFeeds’ research shows that, as per documents filed by the US authorities with the Maryland District Court, Lissa Mel is an Israeli citizen who is alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the sale and marketing of binary options. The conspiracy concerns two binary options brands – BinaryBook and BigOption. There are several types of misrepresentations made by representatives of these “brokers” to investors, including misrepresentations about the suitability of binary options as investments, the deceptive use of “bonuses” and misrepresentations about the names, location and qualification of representatives “assisting” investors. The Government has alleged that this conspiracy resulted in over $80 million in losses to investors.
The criminal complaint against Lissa Mel, aka “Monica Sanders”, alleges she participated in the conspiracy from at least in or around May 2015 through at least May 2016.
In an email, for instance, she sent a call script full of misrepresentations – such as having a background in economics, as well as having worked “in the market for 12 years”, including “4 years in Hsbc London”.
Lissa Mel was arrested on September 17, 2018, as she attempted to board a flight at LAX. She is scheduled for a plea hearing on December 13, 2018.
