Face Up Entertainment (OTCBB: FUEG) suspended by the SEC

Today the SEC suspended trading in Face Up Entertainment (OTCBB: FUEG), a stock that has been pumped and dumped and repumped countless times. FUEG was most recently promoted by WFWS Consulting Inc (WhisperfromWallstreet.com / OTCStockExchange.com) and Stock Appeal LLC websites (LiquidPennies.com / VIPStockAlerts.com / HeroStocks.com /StockHunter.us / StockBrain.net). It appears that the SEC has become more aggressive in suspending trading in active stock promotions: EDVP was suspended one month ago.

WFWS Consulting Inc. has been paid $5,000 cash by Stock Appeal LLC.
for the purpose of increasing public awareness of FUEG

 

Currently, Stock Appeal LLC has been compensated up to $35,000 USD for increased public awareness of FUEG by a Compass Capital LTD, third party.

SEC suspension notice (pdf)
SEC suspension order (pdf)

The reason for the suspension:

The Commission temporarily suspended trading in the securities of Face Up because of
questions concerning the adequacy and accuracy of publicly available information about Face
Up, including, among other things, its financial condition, the control of the company, its
business operations, and trading in its securities.

1 year chart of FUEG (click to embiggen):

[Edit 2013-4-5]: FUEG Insiders arrested and criminal complaint unsealed:

DOJ press release
Criminal complaint (pdf)

Excerpt from the press release (that quoted the criminal complaint):

FUEG was a publicly traded company that was purportedly involved in the reality gaming social network market with its principal place of business located in Valley Stream, New York. As captured through judicially authorized wiretap interceptions, the defendants coordinated control over a significant portion of FUEG shares and then promoted the stock through the dissemination of false press releases sent over the Internet. In addition, the defendants coordinated trading of FUEG shares to create the impression of increased trading volume to make FUEG appear to be an attractive purchase for unsuspecting investors. However, the defendants were unable to reap a profit from trading FUEG stock timed to the promotions, and their scheme ultimately failed.

As a result of the failed promotion of FUEG stock, GOLDSHMIDT, PUZAITZER, VAX, ORENA, GROSSMAN, AKSANOV, and KOIFMAN conspired to extort one of their co-conspirators, referred to as “CC-1” in the Complaint. In the summer of 2012, AKSANOV, KOIFMAN, GOLDSHMIDT and PUZAITZER met with CC-1 in New York, New York, and demanded that CC-1 pay them $350,000 and return shares of FUEG, or AKSANOV would “put slugs into” CC-1’s chest.

In several subsequent telephone calls and meetings, various defendants continued to demand that CC-1 repay them for their stake in the failed FUEG scheme, or they would harm CC-1. During a meeting on or about March 5, 2013, GOLDSHMIDT, PUZAITZER, ORENA and VAX met with CC-1 at a hotel in New York City and further threatened CC-1 and CC-1’s family if CC-1 did not comply with their demands.

The suspension is likely related to the numerous press releases that FUEG has put out over the last couple months: