It is unlawful for any person, in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of any security, directly or indirectly:

1. (1) To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud;
2. (2) To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; or
3. (3) To engage in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.

In interpreting this section, courts will be guided by the interpretations given by federal courts to similar language set forth in § 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. § 77q] and Rule 10b-5 [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5] promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to include, without limitation, any difference in pleading requirements governing actions brought by securities regulators as opposed to private litigants.

6 Del. C. 1953, § 7303; 59 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 181, § 16; 78 Del. Laws, c. 175, §§ 118, 122; 79 Del. Laws, c. 182, § 4; 84 Del. Laws, c. 230, § 4