A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Investors Sue Alleged Sham Commodities Firm: Several investors who maintain that they were defrauded out of a total of $200,000 by an alleged sham Hong Kong commodities firm sued the firm, Pacific Bullion Investments Inc., and its officers. In the federal suit, Michael C. Liu and five other investors said the firm, which was not registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, falsely claimed to sell currency and precious metals contracts for future delivery to the public. The firm contacted investors by telephone and mail last year, describing the investments as “low- risk,” the suit says. After the investments were made, the firm dissuaded investors from selling their contracts, promising that the investments would increase in value if retained. The suit seeks treble damages on the investors’ alleged losses and $10 million in punitive damages. (Case No. 91-32. Filed Jan. 3, 1990).