Business ProfileforAGQ Business Group LLC

As of October 26, 2021

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a final judgment against Denis Georgiyevich Sotnikov and entities he controlled for participating in a fraudulent scheme to lure U.S. investors into buying fake Certificates of Deposit (CDs) promoted through internet advertising and "spoofed" websites that mimicked the actual sites of legitimate financial institutions.

The judgment, entered after defendants and relief defendants defaulted, determined that Sotnikov and the entities he controlled - Adaptive Technology LLC, AGQ Business Group LLC, ATL Business Group LLC, BO&SA Corporation, DN Industrial LLC, and Expert Digital LLC - violated the anti-fraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and permanently enjoins them from further violations. The judgment requires Sotnikov and the entities he controlled to collectively pay $2,628,260 in disgorgement, plus prejudgment interest. The judgment also requires Sotnikov to pay a civil penalty of $2,535,611 and requires each entity that he controlled to pay a separate $975,230 civil penalty. Finally, the judgment requires Mazitova and the other relief defendants to collectively pay $1,277,900 in disgorgement, plus prejudgment interest.

LINK:https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2021/lr25247.htm

As of March 13, 2020 SEC Case # 2:20-cv-02784

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Denis Georgiyevich Sotnikov and entities he controlled for allegedly participating in a fraudulent scheme to lure U.S. investors into buying fictitious Certificates of Deposit (CDs) promoted through internet advertising and "spoofed" websites that mimic the actual sites of legitimate financial institutions.

According to the SEC's complaint, the scheme involved purchasing internet ads that targeted investors who were searching for CDs with high rates. The ads allegedly included links to phony websites, which falsely claimed that the firms offering the CDs were members of FINRA and the FDIC, and that deposits were FDIC-insured. When investors called the phone number on the websites, an "account executive" impersonating a real registered representative directed investors to wire funds to so-called "clearing" partners. These alleged clearing partners were entities used by Sotnikov to launder and misappropriate investor funds. Since November 2014, the alleged scheme involved spoofing the websites of at least 24 actual financial firms or using at least 8 fictitious entities, resulting in over $26 million in known investor losses - with many of those losses from older investors who used their retirement savings.

"As alleged in our complaint, investors were swindled out of millions of dollars through a web of fake websites and concealed identities," said SEC Enforcement Division Co-Director Steven Peikin. "Today's action shows the SEC's commitment to exposing sophisticated cyber fraud schemes that pose an ever-present risk to Main Street investors."

"Investors should be wary of investment opportunities from websites found only through internet searches," added SEC Enforcement Division Co-Director Stephanie Avakian. "Online investments that sound too good to be true are red flags of fraud."

The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy previously issued an investor alert cautioning investors to be aware of spoofed websites offering phony CDs.

In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey today announced related criminal charges and are pursuing asset seizures.

The SEC's complaint, filed in federal court in the District of New Jersey, charges Sotnikov, Adaptive Technology LLC, AGQ Business Group LLC, ATL Business Group LLC, BO&SA Corp., DN Industrial LLC, and Expert Digital LLC with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and Sotnikov with aiding and abetting those violations. The SEC seeks permanent injunctive relief and the return of allegedly ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest and penalties. The complaint also names Sotnikov's wife Natalia Mazitova as well as Great Imperial LLC, HRC Clearing House LLC, and Inteko Cargo LLC as relief defendants.

For further assistance please contact
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Investor Information and Complaints (800) SEC-0330 or (202) 551-6551
https://www.sec.gov/contact-information/sec-directory
LINK: https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2020-61