International Stock Manipulator Sentenced To 27 Months

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced that JULIUS CSURGO was sentenced to 27 months in prison for manipulating 19 different “penny stocks” in a pump-and-dump scheme designed to fraudulently inflate the value of CSURGO’s own shares in those companies. CSURGO pled guilty on May 27, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed the sentence on September 4, 2026.

“This sentencing reflects a clear and unambiguous message: those who manipulate our markets and defraud investors will not escape justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “Julius Csurgo manipulated U.S. financial markets, exploited shell companies, and engaged in deceitful promotions to enrich himself at the expense of unsuspecting investors. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure our markets remain fair, transparent, and trustworthy.” 

According to the Superseding Information, public filings, and statements made in court proceedings:

CSURGO, a Canadian-Hungarian citizen, orchestrated multiple “pump-and-dump” schemes along with his -co-conspirators. In his guilty plea, CSURGO admitted to securities fraud involving nineteen issuers. His sophisticated scheme involved gaining controlling interest of unrestricted stock, then concealing ownership by distributing shares among nominee entities through a Swiss corporation called Blacklight, S.A. While maintaining behind-the-scenes control over the shares and significant influence over company management, CSURGO and his co-conspirators funded promotional campaigns without disclosing their controlling interest or intent to sell. They took deliberate steps to hide that nominee entities were funding these promotions. During or shortly after generating market interest, CSURGO sold large percentages of holdings and collected the proceeds through the elaborate network of nominee entities he controlled, which he also used to distribute proceeds to his co-conspirators.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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In addition to his prison term, CSURGO, 71, of Toronto, Canada, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to forfeit approximately $9,610,409.95.

Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He further thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division, as well as authorities in Canada. Mr. McDonald also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which separately initiated civil proceedings against CSURGO. 

The case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Richman, Samuel Rothschild, and Matthew R. Shahabian are in charge of the prosecution.