Have you been the victim of investment fraud? Don’t let fraudsters keep what they stole from you. Mark A. Alexander has over 20 years of experience in complex fraud recovery litigation, with a proven track record of helping investment fraud victims recover their losses. If you’ve been defrauded in an oil & gas investment, real estate scheme, securities fraud, or other complex investment fraud, we can help you fight back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I think I’ve been defrauded in an investment scheme. What should I do immediately?

Time is critical in investment fraud cases. Document everything you have – emails, contracts, bank statements, promotional materials, and correspondence with the fraudsters. Stop sending any additional money immediately. Contact an experienced fraud recovery attorney as soon as possible, as there are often time limits for certain legal remedies. Many fraud victims wait too long hoping the situation will resolve itself. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovery. Fraudsters often continue operating and may hide or move assets if they know legal action is imminent.

Q2: What types of investment fraud cases do you handle?

We handle sophisticated investment fraud cases across multiple industries:

• Oil & Gas Investment Fraud – Fake drilling operations, phantom wells, inflated reserves, partnership fraud.
• Real Estate Investment Fraud – Property flipping schemes, fake development projects, rental income fraud.
• Securities Fraud – Ponzi schemes, fake investment opportunities, broker misconduct.
• Business Investment Fraud – Fake franchises, phantom business opportunities, equipment leasing fraud.
• Complex Commercial Fraud – Partnership fraud, business acquisition fraud, technology investment schemes.

Our focus is on cases involving substantial losses where aggressive litigation can recover meaningful damages for victims.

Q3: How do you determine if I have a viable fraud recovery case?

We evaluate several key factors:

• Provable damages – Can we document your financial losses with clear evidence?
• Identifiable defendants – Can we locate the fraudsters and any assets they may have?
• Recoverable assets – Are there assets, insurance policies, or third parties that can satisfy a judgment?
• Strong evidence – Do we have sufficient proof of the fraudulent scheme and your reliance on false statements?
• Legal theories – Are there multiple legal avenues for recovery (fraud, breach of contract, securities violations, etc.)?

Many fraud cases that seem hopeless actually have viable recovery options when properly analyzed by experienced litigation counsel.

Q4: What’s the difference between state court and federal court for fraud cases?

Most investment fraud cases can be filed in either state or federal court, and choosing the right venue is strategic:

State Court Advantages:

• Faster to injunctive relief to freeze assets.
• Local judges familiar with state fraud laws.
• Efficient discovery process.
• Lower filing costs.

Federal Court Advantages:

• Enhanced remedies for securities fraud cases.
• RICO (racketeering) claims for complex schemes.
• Better for multi-state fraud operations.
• Federal asset seizure capabilities.

We analyze each case to determine the optimal venue for maximum recovery potential. Often state court provides the speed and efficiency needed for fraud recovery.

Q5: Can you recover money that’s already been spent by the fraudsters?

Yes, through several methods:

• Asset tracing – Following the money trail to locate hidden assets.
• Fraudulent transfer claims – Recovering money fraudsters transferred to others.
• Insurance recovery – Professional liability, errors & omissions, or fidelity insurance.
• Third-party liability – Banks, brokers, or professionals who enabled the fraud.
• Personal guarantees – Individual liability of company owners or officers.

Experienced fraud recovery attorneys know where to look for assets and how to pursue all available sources of recovery.

Q6: How long do fraud recovery cases typically take?

Timeline varies significantly based on case complexity:

• Emergency relief – Asset freezing orders within days or weeks.
• Initial discovery – 6-12 months to locate assets and build the case.
• Settlement negotiations – Often occur within 12-18 months.
• Trial preparation – 18-24 months for complex cases that don’t settle.
• Appeals – Additional 12-18 months if appeals are necessary.

Many cases settle before trial when fraudsters realize they face experienced litigation counsel with a strong case. The threat of aggressive litigation often motivates settlement discussions.

Q7: What does it cost to pursue a fraud recovery case?

We handle fraud recovery cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay attorney fees only if we recover money for you. This allows fraud victims to pursue recovery without upfront legal costs. Costs are structured to align our interests with yours – we only succeed when you recover your losses. Case expenses (court costs, expert witnesses, discovery costs) are typically advanced and recovered from any settlement or judgment.

Q8: What evidence do I need to prove investment fraud?

Strong fraud cases typically include:

• Written misrepresentations – False statements in emails, contracts, or promotional materials.
• Financial documentation – Bank records, investment statements, wire transfer receipts.
• Communication records – Emails, texts, recorded phone calls with fraudsters.
• Witness testimony – Other victims, employees, or industry experts.
• Expert analysis – Financial experts to calculate damages and trace assets.

We help you organize and develop the evidence needed to build a compelling fraud case. Many victims have more evidence than they realize.

Q9: Can I recover attorney fees in a fraud case?

Often yes, through several methods:

• Contractual provisions – Many investment agreements include attorney fee clauses.
• Statutory recovery – Securities fraud and consumer protection laws often allow fee recovery.
• Punitive damages – Texas fraud cases can include punitive damages covering legal costs.
• Settlement negotiations – Attorney fees are often included in settlement discussions.

This means successful fraud recovery often covers your legal costs in addition to compensating for your losses.

Q10: What if the fraudsters have fled or disappeared?

Sophisticated fraud recovery involves multiple strategies:

• Asset investigation – Professional asset searches to locate hidden property.
• Successor liability – Pursuing entities that took over the fraudulent business.
• Insurance claims – Professional liability or fidelity coverage.
• Third-party recovery – Banks, brokers, or professionals who enabled the fraud.
• Fraudulent transfer actions – Recovering assets transferred to family members or associates.

Experienced fraud attorneys have resources and relationships to locate defendants and assets that victims cannot access independently.

Q11: Should I report the fraud to law enforcement?

Yes, you should report investment fraud to appropriate authorities:

• State securities regulators – For investment-related fraud.
• FBI – For complex multi-state schemes.
• District attorney – For local criminal prosecution.
• Regulatory agencies – Industry-specific regulators for licensed professionals.

Criminal prosecution and civil recovery are parallel processes. Criminal cases can help develop evidence for civil recovery and sometimes result in restitution orders for victims.

Q12: How do I know if my attorney has experience with fraud recovery?

Look for specific fraud recovery experience:

• Track record – Documented success in fraud recovery cases.
• Industry knowledge – Understanding of specific fraud schemes in your industry.
• Litigation experience – Proven ability to handle complex commercial litigation.
• Asset recovery expertise – Knowledge of asset tracing and collection methods.
• Professional recognition – Peer recognition for litigation and fraud recovery work.

Mark A. Alexander has over 20 years of experience in complex fraud recovery, with extensive experience in oil & gas fraud, real estate fraud, and sophisticated commercial fraud schemes.