A Russian national is accused of $31 million US Stock Manipulation Scam.

A Russian national, Dmitrii Kushnarev, has been accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of orchestrating a $31 million securities fraud scheme that spanned more than seven years. According to regulators, Kushnarev hacked into hundreds of brokerage accounts in the United States, manipulating stock and options prices to generate illicit profits.

The Allegations Against Dmitrii Kushnarev

The SEC complaint details how Kushnarev allegedly used 23 false identities, including fake European citizenships, to open dozens of trading accounts across multiple platforms. By doing so, he avoided detection and carried out what investigators describe as a highly sophisticated “account takeover attack” operation.

Through these compromised accounts, Kushnarev is accused of placing fraudulent trades that manipulated prices in his favor, leading to massive losses for unsuspecting U.S. investors and brokerage firms. The total damage is estimated at over $31 million.

A History of Fraud

This is not Kushnarevs first run-in with the law. Court records indicate that he previously served a prison sentence in Russia between 2002 and 2004 for fraud-related offenses. His repeated use of multiple false identities appears to have been a consistent method of concealing his involvement in fraudulent schemes.

The SEC alleges that in this most recent case, Kushnarevs pattern of deception involved systematically creating fake personas, exploiting brokerage systems, and taking advantage of vulnerabilities to maximize illegal gains while evading detection.

How the Scam Worked

The scheme reportedly unfolded in three steps:

1. Account Takeover – Kushnarev and his associates allegedly gained unauthorized access to U.S. brokerage accounts through hacking or stolen credentials.
2. Price Manipulation – They then executed trades designed to manipulate the prices of certain stocks and options.
3. Profit Extraction – Using his own accounts registered under fake identities, Kushnarev would place corresponding trades to benefit from the manipulated market moves.

This fraudulent cycle continued for seven years, according to investigators.

SECs Response and Legal Action

The SEC has formally charged Kushnarev with violating multiple provisions of U.S. securities law. If convicted, he could face significant fines, asset seizures, and a permanent ban from U.S. financial markets.

Authorities also stressed that account takeover attacks remain a serious threat to brokerage firms and retail investors, underscoring the importance of strong cybersecurity protocols and vigilance against suspicious activity.

Conclusion

The case of Dmitrii Kushnarev serves as a stark reminder of how sophisticated fraudsters can exploit financial systems for personal gain. Despite past convictions, Kushnarev allegedly continued his criminal path, costing investors tens of millions of dollars.

With the SEC stepping in, the financial world awaits further developments in what could become one of the most notable international stock manipulation scams in recent years.