Press release: 28 October, 2021: Scammers are always trying to capitalize on your worries about the high interest rates. They'll also hesitate to make promises of high returns on investments. But it's all an excuse to steal your money.
Although side-hustling may seem appealing, there aren't always many great opportunities. There's no need to worry about being fraud-ridden when you're trying to earn extra money.
I'll now talk to you about scams in the investment industry, and how to avoid them.
Investors are being scammed by criminals in increasing amounts
Millions of people lost their earnings in 2021. A growing number of people began looking into side-hustles on the internet. But so did scammers. There's been a rise in complaints from consumers about investing fraud following the coronavirus pandemic.
There are increases of anti-fraud professionals in nearly all categories, but particularly in the following areas:
Insurance fraud: An increase of 12percent
An increase by 11% in loan and fraud at banks
Increase of 11% in the financial statements fraud
Increase of 10% in Identity Theft
Employees are more likely to be embezzled 9%
And it looks like investment scams, which are a form of income fraud are here to stay as a scam. In private placement program scam the con artists lure victims in by promising large returns. After receiving a return on the initial investment, a few victims are convinced to pay more. They may not even realize it for a few months.
Beware of scams in the investment industry
Financial fraud is a topic you see on the news when corporations or influential people are involved in money laundering. This is only the beginning of the story.
Financial fraud happens the act of lying, manipulating and deceives you to get your cash or financial data. And the people who do employ sophisticated and efficient techniques of social engineering to convince you to open your wallet.
Visual element: Social engineering employs manipulation to gain access to your financial information, not hacking your accounts at banks. They have many sources and can make use of lots of money to implement their schemes. They are among the most famous.
Ponzi schemes
The classics of the past will never die. But, investors are always looking for quick riches.
In a Ponzi scheme criminals take the money of new investors to pay their existing investors. The money paid to investors as "returns" for their investments is from defrauded people. The system relies on the constant influx of new people.
Pyramid schemes
Pyramid schemes are a shady system of making money that is based on a growing number of investors. First, promoters find investors, who in turn invite more investors, and then on. Since the number of investors increase with each step the scheme is referred to as an "pyramid". In order to support the scheme and provide profits to early investors, only a few of promoters have to be in the highest level.
Advance fee plans
Suppose you've gotten an email from a Nigerian Prince who wants to give his inheritance to you. You're probably already familiar with the advance fee system in this scenario.
Scammers will ask for advance payment to get into an advance fee scheme. It is used to pay for products and services like loans or contracts or investments, gifts or other financial transactions. It could be an ongoing fee or even a due diligence cost. But let's not kid ourselves. People get nothing in return.
Early pension release
Your pension is your most valuable asset. It's your financial security through retirement and into the rest of life. However, just like any other asset your pension could be a target for fraudsters.
Do not join schemes that provide the money you earn from your retirement account to help supplement it before you turn 55. The rules governing pension release are generally in place and the law regarding retirement money varies between different countries.
Before signing any documents, make sure to check the local laws. You may lose your money and become in the middle of a tax cost.