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Avoid Scams: Investment Fraud

Investment fraud, sometimes known as securities fraud, involves criminals duping victims into investing money into fraudulent projects or fictitious assets. These types of scams may include pyramid or Ponzi schemes, high yield investment fraud, “pump and dump” schemes, advance fee schemes, real estate investment fraud, or schemes involving precious metals and coins. In particular, investment fraud associated with cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly prevalent and easily perpetrated using social media and communications applications. Cryptocurrency investment schemes, such as pig butchering, are lucrative for scammers and victimize millions of Americans.

How to Protect Yourself

 

 

 

  • Be wary of unsolicited contact via telephone, text message, e-mail, social media, or in person, concerning investment opportunities.

  • Avoid investments that sound “too good to be true” or are advertised as having high rates of returns with little or “no risk” to your original financial deposit.

  • Shield yourself from situations in which someone demands you to pay a fee to unlock access to an investment opportunity.

  • If the promoter of an alleged investment is asking you for sensitive information, such as social your security number or bank account details, or is using high pressure tactics to attempt to force you to invest, immediately remove yourself from the situation by ceasing all communications. 

  • Consult the websites of federal and state regulatory authorities and online corporate records concerning any proposed investment, investment firm, or anyone representing themselves to be a broker or similar.

  • Request to review financial statements, annual reports, or audit results for any proposed investment.

  • Avoid projects that do not involve the sale of products or services and instead involve you earning money in exchange for recruiting others to invest in a project, as this is likely a pyramid scheme. 

  • Always question the legitimacy of any cryptocurrency investment project advertising itself to be “the next big thing” or similar.

 

Investment Fraud Victim Resources 

If you suspect you are a victim of investment fraud, contact your local Secret Service field office.

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