Penny Stock Price Manipulation Exploits Japanese Trading Accounts

Japanese authorities report a rise in hacking activity targeting online brokerage accounts, with hackers exploiting the system to artificially inflate the prices of penny stocks around the world. The scam appears to be centered on hijacking client login credentials, buying low-cap shares in Japan, the United States, or China, and then manipulating the price high enough for early purchasers – often the hackers themselves – to cash out. This scheme leaves victims struggling with substantial losses as authorities grapple with the growing problem of cyberattacks targeting financial platforms.