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This article will review the most common types of investment fraud, how they work, and key warning signs to watch out for.
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As a decorated international athlete, David Joseph Bunevacz doesn’t fit the profile of the average con man. But in July 2022, the gold medal-winning decathlete was found guilty of investment fraud. Several of his cannabis-related companies were fronting a $28 million pyramid scheme [*].
While Bunevacz now faces the prospect of spending 20 years in federal prison, the problem of investment fraud continues to surge. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that people have lost over $1 billion in cryptocurrency scams since 2021 — often via made-up “investment opportunities [*]."
This article will review the most common types of investment fraud, how they work, and key warning signs to watch out for.
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The most famous example of investment fraud involves Bernie Madoff [*]. The NASDAQ chairman executed the largest Ponzi scheme in history — a con that spanned at least 17 years and led to $170 billion in restitution. Madoff received a 150-year prison sentence for his crimes.
But investment scams have changed, especially as hedge funds and cryptocurrency exchanges explore new investment vehicles. For example, Virgil Sigma Fund LP and VQR Multistrategy Fund LP advertised arbitrage opportunities in crypto markets that embezzled over $54 million [*].
Deceptive practices in financial markets can quickly wipe out your life savings — so it’s critical that you spot and avoid these investment scams.
An advance fee scam promises victims a false sum of money or investment return once they pay an initial upfront fee. These fees are often described as tax refunds or commissions. Fraudsters convince you to set up wire payments, but they have no intention of providing a product or service in return.
The scam in real life:
A Missouri woman pretended to represent BB&T Corporation and offered people investment agreements that she claimed were sponsored by the U.S. Department of State [*].
After delivering fraudulent receipts to victims, the Missouri woman collected over $7,500 in fees under false pretenses. The FBI investigated the case, and she now faces 20 years in prison if sentenced by a federal court judge.
How to spot the scam:
If the investment seems too good to be true, that’s usually a red flag. Look for these giveaways:
📚 Related: Someone Stole My Tax Refund Check! What Should I Do? →
Affinity fraud scams target specific, identifiable groups — such as senior citizens, ethnic communities, or religious associations. Once con artists earn the group's trust, they convince members to engage in misleading financial schemes.
The scam in real life:
About 400 Mennonite and Amish families lost a combined $59 million after promises of high returns [*]. Philip Elvin Riehl claimed that he would invest in local businesses on behalf of these families. In reality, he was simply a broker running an elaborate Ponzi scheme between lenders and borrowers.
How to spot the scam:
Affinity scams exploit the trust and kinship of the targeted group for illegal gain. These schemes share common warning signs:
📚 Related: The 7 Biggest Scams Targeting Veterans & U.S. Military →
A binary options contract automatically pays a fixed reward for a yes/no investment outcome. Fraudsters use binary options to create false or rigged contracts designed to steal your money — or even obtain enough information to steal your identity.
The scam in real life:
A Florida judge ordered Ronald Montanoto pay $2.5 million for his role in a binary options scam in September 2021 [*]. Montano ran a fraudulent scheme to acquire investments from people for an alleged automated trading system he could use to help people profit from binary options.
How to spot the scam:
If an online options platform offers no forms of authenticity, it is likely a binary options scam. Other glaring signs of fraud include:
The unregulated nature of blockchain-based digital currencies makes it easy for fraudsters to swindle victims without a trace. Romance scams, investment opportunities, or false coins and counterfeiting are common crypto schemes that are rife on social media platforms like Telegram.
The scam in real life:
Two New York siblings scammed 12,000investors through unregistered securities offerings [*]. False information about mining revenue from Ormeus Coin enabled the duo to steal more than $124 million. The siblings face securities fraud charges and up to 65 years in prison.
How to spot the scam:
Cryptocurrency has limited regulatory restrictions. To stay safe, always be wary of the following:
📚 Related: How To Tell if a Crypto Recovery Service Is a Scam →
Fraudsters or company insiders may use newsletters or social media to promote financial instruments that they already hold.
By creating a buying frenzy, the scammers can sell their shares at an artificially high stock price, leaving unwitting investors with worthless stocks once the price plummets.
The scam in real life:
Steven Gallagher created a stock promotion account on Twitter to pump over-the-counter (OTC) penny stocks [*]. Using false information to lure new investors into buying the risky assets, Gallagher secretly sold his holdings to net over $1 million in profits. He now faces several charges that could result in more than 25 years in prison.
How to spot the scam:
When researching possible investment opportunities, exercise caution if you notice the following:
Bad actors claim that they are registered securities authorities or investment professionals to convince victims to purchase unlicensed stock offers.
Impersonators will go so far as to spoof authentic credentials and provide fraudulent documents from legitimate organizations to fleece investors.
The scam in real life:
The Department of Justice announced conspiracy charges against 10 foreign nationals engaged in an international investment impersonation scheme [*].
The scammers posed as employees of various New York investment firms and fabricated the trappings of real investment opportunities. Victim losses surpassed $6 million over six years.
How to spot the scam:
Government agencies follow strict rules for communications, so you can spot fraudsters if you know the red flags:
High-yield investment programs are unregistered investment opportunities that purport to deliver high returns with little to no risk. In reality, the advertised programs are Ponzi schemes that steal any invested money.
The scam in real life:
In June 2022, several employees of EarthWater Limited pleaded guilty to charges in a high-yield investment fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims [*]. The company’s former CFO pleaded guilty to 22 charges in the multimillion-dollar scam — including fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
How to spot the scam:
It’s tempting to get involved with promising investments, but you should tread with caution if you see signs of:
Fraudsters exploit the social aspect of the internet to reach large audiences with targeted investment fraud schemes. Websites, newsletters, and phishing emails filled with misinformation entice victims into investing in financial scams.
The scam in real life:
A popular social media influencer leveraged his extensive Instagram following to steal at least $2.5 million in Bitcoin [*].
The influencer posted videos for nearly one million subscribers, claiming to buy Bitcoin with a 3–5% markup on market prices. Victims who engaged in the scheme traded their Bitcoin and never received the promised sale amounts.
How to spot the scam:
Innocent victims who fall for online scams often ignore these signs:
📚 Related: What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed Online & How To Report It →
Microcap fraud is a form of securities fraud in which criminals offer company stocks that are not well-established. These penny stocks often trade at under $5 per share with promises of inflated returns.
Companies with micro capitalizations (those under $250 million) trade on the volatile OTC market.
Fraudsters use the microcap market and its sparse public information, historical record, and financial transparency to misrepresent the value of investments and dupe victims into buying bloated stocks.
The scam in real life:
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed an emergency action against a Mexican resident for deceptive penny stock scams [*]. The accused earned more than $75 million in fraudulent microcap company sales by hiding stock positions.
How to spot the scam:
When investing in the OTC market, beware of these red flags:
A Ponzi scheme is one of the most well-known types of financial fraud, in which new investors pay high rates of return to earlier backers.
Investors are lured in by the promise of high returns. But quite often, this seemingly valuable lucrative financial asset is non-existent.
The scam in real life:
Franklin Ray operated a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than $40 million [*]. Ray induced over 275 investors to purchase 2,000 trucks while promising 77% of the future income from the trucks. In truth, there was limited revenue from these trucking operations to fulfill Ray’s claims.
How to spot the scam:
Ponzi schemes usually have these commonalities:
Successful companies often earn high valuations and rapid price increases when offering public shares in an initial public offering (IPO).
But before an IPO, market makers sell special stock in a pre-IPO to source capital from hedge funds and investment banks. Fraudsters will advertise false access to pre-IPO shares to scam unsuspecting investors.
The scam in real life:
A Singapore resident deceived a New York investment firm into wiring about $9 million for the purported sale of pre-IPO stocks that he neither owned nor controlled [*].
He supposedly held Airbnb shares that he would sell to the firm. The accused now faces a potential 20-year prison sentence for securities fraud.
How to spot the scam:
Prime banks are well-known entities that earn high-security ratings and have access to advanced financial instruments. Fraudsters will create false prime bank programs or pose as central bank representatives to deceive unsuspecting investors in bank scams.
The scam in real life:
In November 2021, the federal courts charged Peter Baker and Elizabeth Oharriz for orchestrating a prime bank investment scam [*]. The pair created fictitious prime bank instruments to lure investors and steal $2.2 million before the SEC apprehended the schemers.
How to spot the scam:
All prime bank investment programs are fraudulent, so scammers may not actually use the term "prime bank" to avoid suspicion. Here are other tip-offs:
📚 Related: 2022 Bank Scams: Phishing, Impostors, Free Money →
A promissory note is a form of debt issued in exchange for money. Usually, an investor agrees to lend a company or individual (the payee) money on the condition that the payee promises to repay it with interest.
Criminals will run promissory note scams by advertising several forms of debt to induce investors into supplying loans that claim they will return stable interest payments. In reality, the promissory notes are fictitious, and the scammer steals any loaned funds.
The scam in real life:
The SEC charged four individuals of the Retire Happy LLC company for the unregistered sale of high-yield promissory notes [*]. The scam targeted retirees with fraudulent debt opportunities as part of a larger Ponzi scheme that paid out prior investors with new investor money.
How to spot the scam:
Promissory notes and debt schemes:
Scammers use pump-and-dump schemes to manipulate stock prices with misleading or incorrect promotional campaigns.
After stock values rapidly inflate due to the influx of duped investor funds, the scammers dump their holdings. The share price plummets following the sales, leaving victims with hefty losses.
The scam in real life:
Three Canadians and a Californian face prison sentences of 25 years and a $5 million fine for an illegal pump-and-dump scheme [*]. The quartet solicited purchases from U.S. investors after touting the stocks in a cold call campaign.
Their sophisticated digital platform tracked over $140 million in stock sales from 70 issuers and stored the stolen funds in offshore accounting systems.
How to spot the scam:
A pyramid scheme offers a made-up investment opportunity with returns based on levels of recruitment. Similar to a Ponzi scheme, new recruits pay sign-on fees that are given to investors who operate higher up the pyramid.
The scam in real life:
Elon Musk is at the center of a $258 billion lawsuit over accusations of spearheading a pyramid scheme that promoted the cryptocurrency Dogecoin [*].
Musk’s support of Dogecoin attracted a surge of investors in 2021 — before the market crashed. Now, a group of DOGE investors claim Musk’s actions caused millions of people to buy into a pyramid scheme.
How to spot the scam:
Fraudsters will engage in several scams that take advantage of the complexity of real estate sales. Inauthentic escrow payments, fake home listings, and promises of foreclosure relief can trick unwary investors into parting with their money.
The scam in real life:
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted a California man for rigging foreclosure auctions [*]. Co-conspirators agreed not to bid against each other at public auctions but held private bidding options for select buyers on low-priced real estate. Charges against the group could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
How to spot the scam:
Fraudsters who run these scams tend to exhibit similar tactics:
📚 Related: Change-of-Address Scam: Why Scammers Want Your Address →
If someone entrusted to manage the finances of another individual or organization abuses that position of trust to steal from them, it’s known as misappropriation.
For example, an executor of a deceased person's estate could steal money or land by changing ownership to their own name or the name of co-conspirators.
The scam in real life:
A Michigan woman faces criminal charges for allegedly misusing funds meant for COVID-19 healthcare workers [*]. The woman wrote personal checks to siphon over $37,000 in government payments related to COVID-19 medical treatments.
How to spot the scam:
📚 Related: How To Protect Your Home Title From Deed Theft →
Broker embezzlement is fraud in which a trusted intermediary uses lawfully obtained assets for unintended purposes or for unauthorized personal gain.
The scam in real life:
The SEC charged a former securities broker and investment advisor for anti-fraud violations after he stole $5.8 million from a long-standing client over six years [*].
The embezzlement scheme included forged signatures, changed records, and fake account statements. $4.2 million of the stolen money was used as gifts for romantic partners.
How to spot the scam:
Embezzlement is a breach of trust, so early detection can help you identify a dishonest broker and mitigate any financial losses. Here’s what to look out for:
📚 Related: Help! Someone Forged My Signature on a Check and Cashed It →
Hedge funds leverage extensive capital and investment partnerships to engage in financial instruments that are minimally regulated. As a result, investors who place their money in hedge funds often fall victim to an array of schemes related to corporate mismanagement.
The scam in real life:
In July 2021, the SEC charged Sean Wygovsky for insider trading at a Canadian asset management firm [*]. Wygovsky traded in family accounts before executing large orders of the same stock at the hedge fund. His illicit gains netted over $3.6 million over a span of six years.
How to spot the scam:
Plenty of hedge funds offer legitimate, albeit risky, investment opportunities. When you complete your due diligence on an asset management firm, also look for these red flags:
Late-day trading refers to fraudulent brokers who trade after hours but record the trade execution before the market closes that day. Fraudulent activity allows criminals to use market information not available to the common investor for illegal gain, often used with mutual funds.
The scam in real life:
Federal prosecutors have charged James Velissaris for the collapse of a $1.7 billion mutual fund scam [*].
As the chief investment officer of Infinity Q Diversified Alpha Fund, Velissaris was found guilty of repeatedly adjusting the fund's reported values. The mispricing continued until a requested $100 million bailout loan triggered an SEC investigation.
How to spot the scam:
After investors fall victim to investment schemes, they are anxious to earn any lost money back. Fraudsters prey on recent scam victims by posing as secondary investment firms with special high-rate-of-return offers labeled as “recovery opportunities.”
The scam in real life:
In July 2022, Lincoln Police Department reported a family lost about $700,000 in a cryptocurrency scam [*]. Three members of the family shared the losses after becoming victims to a string of scams.
After locking their accounts, the fraudsters directed the family to different websites and instructed them to open new accounts and invest more money to recover their initial investments.
How to spot the scam:
If you’ve already lost money, there’s a danger you could get scammed again if you’re not careful. These signs should tip you off:
Fraudsters will pose as annuities agents and engage in scams that steal money related to pensions, retirement savings, or insurance policies.
The scam in real life:
Darrell Arnold Aviss sourced almost $12 million from investors in an annuity scam [*]. The Santa Barbara man claimed to purchase annuities related to Swiss-based insurance companies.
In reality, the money sat in Aviss' personal bank accounts in Monaco to support his lavish lifestyle.
How to spot the scam:
When signing an investment contract, these signs should serve as a forewarning:
While there are different types of investment scams, several common red flags can alert you to potential financial fraud. If you identify one or more of these with any investment opportunity, proceed with caution — your money might be at risk.
Investment fees from authentic investment partners are taken after the financial asset generates a return. A thief often demands upfront premiums as a pressure tactic to steal from victims before they figure out the investment is a sham.
No financial asset is 100% risk-free. If you come across a non-government-backed investment opportunity that is guaranteed, it is most likely a scam.
Loans, debt obligations, and securities all follow moving market averages. While the outlandish return rates that a scammer advertises may pique your interest, any values far above the standard are clear red flags.
Verified and authentic investment professionals do not make unsolicited communication attempts. If you receive an unexpected offer for an investment opportunity, it is probably a scam.
Financial markets are heavily regulated, and investment firms must publicly announce the required documentation. If you come across an investment company with no accessible prospectus, it’s probably a scam.
Investment professionals undergo extensive training, regulatory approval, and yearly licensing requirements. You shouldn't trust unregistered brokers with your money — they're likely running some illegitimate scheme.
If an investment is too good to be true, why would the backing firm need to advertise? Social media is often used to market pump-and-dump schemes, so be wary of aggressive promotional offers.
If a security or stock has high sale volumes with no relation to the asset’s value, you’re probably looking at a scam. Pay no attention to the common claim that “everyone is buying it,” which could be part of the ruse.
When we feel pressured, we can make unwise decisions. Scammers take advantage of human psychology to get their victims to invest without doing any due diligence. Authentic investment firms will rarely pressure you to buy an asset.
Any time you see edits, markings, or evidence of tampered documents, you are at risk of misappropriation, embezzlement, and other forms of theft.
Filing a report can help you limit the potential damage to your credit file and financial accounts. It also gives the authorities valuable information to investigate your case, which may help them prevent future scams.
The more information you provide about your lost investments, the better. Compile an investment fraud file, and send all details to the proper authorities listed below.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)
While there is no guarantee of recovering your lost funds, victims of investment fraud may be able to get complete or partial recompensation. Your chances of getting your money back vary on a case-by-case basis and rely heavily on the appropriate agency taking action.
Here are nine avenues you can pursue:
Lastly, you can always take individual legal action against a particular party that committed fraudulent investment activity. However, unless you have specific information about the perpetrators, including names and addresses, it might be hard to bring them to justice.
Investment fraud can leave your future in tatters. Whether you were saving a nest egg for retirement or inheritances for your children, the loss of your hard-earned funds can cause significant harm to your credit accounts, financial prospects, and emotional well-being.
Your best defense against investment scams is doing your due diligence on any potential investment before you get involved. But to get the extended protection and peace of mind you need today, sign up for Aura.
Our all-in-one digital security solution keeps you safe from all types of financial scams, including investment fraud. Aura helps you with a host of protection features:
Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you to increase awareness about digital safety. Aura’s services may not provide the exact features we write about, nor may cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat discussed in our articles. Please review our Terms during enrollment or setup for more information. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime.