ASC Alberta News

Investor Alert: Ramp-and-dump Scam Surge Targeting Investors

The Canadian Securities Administrators issued an investor alert on April 16, 2026 warning Canadians about a surge in fraudulent "ramp-and-dump" investment schemes promoted through social media platforms and closed group messaging services. These coordinated scams involve fraudsters pressuring victims to purchase specific low-priced or thinly traded stocks through investment groups on WhatsApp, Discord, and Telegram, artificially inflating the price before selling their own shares for profit and leaving victims with significant losses. The alert outlines specific warning signs including claims of guaranteed returns, requests to purchase stocks at specific prices on specific dates, and impersonation of registered professionals or well-known companies.

Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators Annual Meeting Montreal Retiree Financial Security

The Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators held its Annual Meeting in Montreal, Quebec on April 15, 2026, bringing together members of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR), the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), and the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) to discuss retiree financial security. Presentations covered OECD research on barriers to quality financial advice for retirees and National Institute on Ageing research on helping Canadians prepare financially for retirement. Speakers included OECD policy analyst Jessica Mosher, NIA Director Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, and CAPSA Chair Angela Mazerolle.

ASC Issues Interim Order Reasons Against Midas Vantage Projects Lithium Limited

An Alberta Securities Commission panel issued written reasons on April 16, 2026 for its December 19, 2025 interim order against Midas Vantage Projects Lithium Limited, Carolyn Jean Orazietti, and Vinay Ramachand Iyer. The panel found sufficient evidence that the respondents engaged in fraud, made prohibited representations about MVP securities, and misled Staff, warranting the interim order to prevent ongoing capital market misconduct while investigation and hearing proceed.