BinaryBook and BigOption: the Yukom fraud case and refund claims
Known domains/brands: bigoption.com, binarybook.com
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Verified by the Proofmark team · how we verify
Checked by The Proofmark editorial team against our methodology before publishing
How we checked this case: Court and DOJ victim-information sources reviewed on 23 October 2026. A restitution order is not confirmation of money available for distribution.
What happened to BinaryBook and BigOption?
The US Justice Department publicly announced the charges against Lee Elbaz on 23 March 2018. The charges were allegations at that stage; the later trial established the criminal verdict.
BinaryBook and BigOption sold binary options: contracts based on whether a price would move above or below a set point. Yukom Communications provided sales and customer-retention services for the brands. Staff encouraged people to keep depositing and trading.
This case goes beyond complaints about disappointing returns. According to the US Department of Justice, evidence at trial showed that staff used false names and qualifications, misrepresented their location and gave misleading explanations about withdrawals. The platform owners benefited when customers lost money, while callers claimed to be acting in customers’ interests.
A jury convicted Yukom’s former chief executive Lee Elbaz on 7 August 2019. On 19 December 2019, she received a 22-year prison sentence. These dates describe the criminal case; they are not dates on which customers received repayments.
How could a bonus prevent someone getting money back?
The trial evidence described misleading bonus, insured-trade and risk-free-trade offers. A bonus could appear to increase an account balance while bringing conditions that obstructed withdrawals.
For someone recording a loss, the distinction matters. Keep the amount you actually sent separate from bonuses or profits displayed by the platform. Also record any money that really came back. An old screenshot of a large balance does not mean you deposited that entire amount.
What did the 2025 court order change?
On 29 January 2025, the CFTC announced a separate civil default judgment against five companies and three individuals connected with BigOption, BinaryBook and BinaryOnline. The order required US$112.9 million in restitution and US$338.7 million in penalties.
Restitution is money defendants are ordered to repay. A penalty is a separate sanction. Neither figure proves that funds have been collected or that a particular customer is eligible for an immediate payment. The judgment also does not create a reason to pay a private caller to release money.
Has someone offered you a BinaryBook or BigOption refund?
The Justice Department’s own victim-information page carries a specific warning: callers have falsely claimed to work for the DOJ, FBI or accounting firms helping return money to these investors. They asked for identity and banking information to supposedly process refunds.
The department says it has not authorised employees or affiliates of these brands to contact investors on its behalf. Someone knowing your old account name or loss amount does not prove they represent the authorities.
Open the official DOJ case page yourself. Use its victim-assistance contact to ask about a message. Do not use a phone number supplied by the caller or send a new payment, login code or wallet recovery phrase.
What should former customers do now?
- Identify the original payment. Keep bank statements, card receipts and recipient names. Add the website, account number and sales contact where available. A payment descriptor may differ from BinaryBook or BigOption.
- Build a short timeline. List deposits, actual repayments, withdrawal requests and the replies. Keep original messages about bonuses or restrictions. If a record is missing, say so rather than estimating it as fact.
- Check the official case contact. Ask how to supply or update your information and whether your particular claim is covered. Keep any existing victim or complaint reference; a general news report cannot confirm your eligibility.
- Handle any new payment separately. If you recently paid someone promising a refund and suspect deception, contact your bank or payment provider promptly. Ask about a recall or dispute and the deadline. An old platform loss and a new recovery payment are different transactions.
- Use the route for your country. The US proceedings do not automatically settle every overseas claim. Local police, consumer services or qualified legal help may be relevant. Our scam-reporting guide explains how to prepare.
For an old payment, ordinary dispute deadlines may already have passed. Do not treat that as permission to trust a caller who promises a special shortcut. Our recovery-service checks explain what to establish before agreeing to another service.
Need help understanding your next step?
If you lost money through BinaryBook or BigOption, or someone has now contacted you about a refund, request a free phone consultation. Have the payment date, recipient and latest message ready.
We can help you separate the original case from the new offer, organise your records and understand the next questions to ask. We do not act for the court or guarantee that money will be returned.
Sources
How this kind of scam works
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How to check if a broker is really licensed
The badge in the footer proves nothing. Here are the registers to type in yourself, country by country, the four things to check in order, and the trick that catches people who did check.
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How to check an online casino before you deposit
Check local gambling rules, the licence and withdrawal terms before you pay. If money is stuck, learn what records to keep and where to seek help.
Where to get help in your country
Choose your country to see where to check a company, report a scam and get help.
Choose your country to see local contacts. If it is not listed, you can ask our team for help.
🇬🇧 The United Kingdom
🔎 Check the firm
FCA Firm Checker — Search the firm name, its website, or the reference number it gave you.
🚨 Report it
Report Fraud (City of London Police) — Report online or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
↩ Ask for your money back
Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain to the firm first, then bring it here. Free, and it can order the firm to pay.
Every address above was opened and checked by us on 30 September 2026. Tell us if one has moved.
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