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As the New York Public Hearings demonstrated, these "first-time small investors" are the specific targets, and thus often the victims, of much of the micro-cap fraud. Their inexperience and desire to reap the benefits of the bull market make them especially vulnerable to quick-talking, unscrupulous brokers.
The State of New York has played a crucial role in the development of the securities industry. New York has also been at the forefront of the crusade against investment fraud and investor protection. The Martin Act came into existence in 1921 -- a dozen years before the Securities and Exchange Commission was even formed. In order to remain vigilant protectors of the investing public and help insure the integrity of the marketplace, New York must improve its unique securities laws. The recommendations detailed in this report will help modernize the statute and provide the necessary tools in this endeavor.
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