Investment or business fraud schemes will try to lure you in with the promise of low- or no-risk investments.
Scammers often ask for upfront cash in exchange for guaranteed future returns—but there is no such thing as a guaranteed return on investment. It's a scam.
Advance fee schemes ask you to invest upfront money for a larger return later, such as a loan, contract, or gift.
Nigerian Letter or 419 schemes ask someone to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author—a self-proclaimed government official—is trying to transfer illegally out of Nigeria.
Ponzi schemes use current investors' money to pay previous investors. They inevitably collapse.
Pyramid schemes ask you to bring in new investors to make a profit or recoup your investment.
Telemarketing fraud schemes try to steal your money over the phone, whether by telling you won a prize, are in legal trouble, or some other approach.
Report Business and Investment Fraud
Visit ic3.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), to report business and investment fraud.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
- Do your homework and thoroughly research any investment opportunity independently of what any salesperson provides you.
- Never rush into an investment opportunity. If you are rushed or told not to discuss it with others, you're being scammed.
- There is no such thing as a guaranteed return.
Affinity Fraud Ponzi Scheme
A Pennsylvania man who orchestrated a $59 million Ponzi scheme targeting fellow members of the Mennonite and Amish religious communities is spending time behind bars.
Inside the FBI Podcast: Oasis Ponzi Scheme
On this episode of Inside the FBI, we discuss how the Bureau and our partners took down an $80 million Ponzi scheme.
Inside the FBI Podcast: $396 Million Ponzi Scheme
On this episode of Inside the FBI, we'll hear how three men stole hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, friends, and family.
Press Releases
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09.12.2024 Senior Fund Executives and Salespeople Charged in Connection with $60 Million Pre-IPO Fraud Scheme
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09.11.2024 Lehi Man Sentenced for Stealing More Than $300,000 in COVID Relief Funds
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09.11.2024 Texas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Over $16 Million Consumer Electronics Fraud Conspiracy
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09.10.2024 Portland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for $2 Million Fraudulent Investment Scheme
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09.10.2024 Pharmaceutical Executive Charged with Insider Trading
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09.09.2024 St. Louis Man Admits Operating Long-Running Ponzi Scheme
Additional Information
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- IC3 Public Service Announcement About Spike in Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes
- IC3 PSA: FBI Warns of False Job Advertisements Linked to Labor Trafficking at Scam Compounds
- IC3 PSA: Increase in Companies Falsely Claiming an Ability to Recover Funds Lost in Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
- IC3 PSA: FBI Guidance for Cryptocurrency Scam Victims
- Federal Trade Commission
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- How to Avoid Fraud (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)