How To Spot The Next Ponzi Scheme

With the staggeringly high number of Ponzi schemes that had already been revealed this past decade, one cannot help but wonder why a lot of people continue to fall for this fraud. It is important to recognize that no two Ponzi schemes are exactly similar. It comes in all shapes, colors, and forms. Their differing characteristics make Ponzi schemes difficult to pinpoint. The only thing they have in common is investment returns that seem too good to be real. However, there are also times when the profits are not even that impressive. In most cases though, you can detect a Ponzi scheme if you are offered a consistent and above-average return every year.

How Does a Ponzi Scheme Work?
A classic Ponzi scheme involves the perpetuation asking for “investment” money but then turns around and uses the money for himself. He then comes up with fictitious profits when paying the investors. The said “profits” are actually other people’s money. This scheme can continue until people realize that there is not enough money to pay off the investors. The Ponzi scheme soon collapses.
Though the financial damage brought about by this system can be great, the SEC is almost powerless to stop it at its roots. This is because there is no exact definition that describes what a Ponzi scheme is. Some perpetuations actually invest some of the money as promised. But he uses the remaining investments to pay off previous investors or lavish cash on himself.

Understanding Pyramid Schemes
Pyramid schemes are a variation of the Ponzi scheme. It essentially uses the same concept but it uses a large number of agents. For example, the main perpetuator will ask two people to “invest” in an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Assuming that the two individuals fall for it, they are given a chance to give the same “offer” to their friends and families. Meanwhile, they will derive a certain amount as commission. Theoretically, the investors are given a chance to recover some part of their investment by asking others to sign up. At first, it would seem that everyone is making money but eventually, the fraudulent system will be revealed once they can no longer recruit others into the pyramid.

In essence, both the Ponzi and pyramid system can be characterized by their reliance on money coming in from new investors, their requirement of new investors to pay off the returns, and the absence of effort to make honest and profitable work.

By: Bernz Jayma P.

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Author and entrepreneur Bernz Jayma P. is the owner of a financial blog dedicated to helping people expand their knowledge on personal finance. You may visit his blog at www.Invesmint.com.