Oraclum Co-Founder Charged in Case Over Falsified Returns

Federal prosecutors charged Vuk Vukovic, 38, co-founder of New York-based Oraclum Capital, with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, alleging he provided investors with falsified account statements that overstated returns for the Orca Bason Fund.

Court filings indicate the alleged misrepresentations began in 2024 and affected roughly 20 investor accounts. The filings allege some statements inflated the fund’s net asset value and monthly and year-to-date performance.

Prosecutors cited a June 2024 example in which an account statement shown to an investor reported a 4.66% return for the month and a 12.29% year-to-date gain, while the fund administrator’s report supplied to regulators showed a 1.38% year-to-date loss. Filings indicate similar discrepancies appeared across multiple accounts.

The case emerged during an inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which subpoenaed records on the fund’s monthly performance. Filings state that documents Oraclum provided to the SEC, including investor statements, differed materially from the administrator’s reports. An FBI agent searched Oraclum’s Manhattan offices, and filings state Vukovic told investigators that brokerage statements given to at least one investor were false and contained misstated returns.

Vukovic made an initial appearance in federal court on Thursday and was released on a $200,000 bond. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if he is convicted.

Court filings indicate no other Oraclum employees or executives have been accused. Vukovic did not respond to requests for comment, a lawyer for him could not be identified, and Oraclum did not respond to requests for comment. The matter remains under active investigation by federal authorities and the SEC.