WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - The Security and Exchange

Commission said on Friday it will form a task force to fight

cross-border fraud that hurts U.S. investors.

"The Cross-Border Task Force will focus initially on

investigating potential U.S. federal securities law violations

related to foreign-based companies, including potential market

manipulation, such as 'pump-and-dump' and 'ramp-and-dump'

schemes," the SEC said in a statement.