Public Advisory
002-2023
10 February 2023
PUBLIC ADVISORY ON PONZI SCHEMES
The Philippine Consulate General in New York reminds the Filipino community to exercise vigilance and extreme caution when conducting business and investing hard-earned dollars with individuals and entities of unreliable repute. Most often they turn out to be scammers and fraudsters involved in Ponzi schemes.
A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that involves the payment of unusually high returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Ponzi scheme organizers often solicit new investors by promising to invest funds in opportunities claimed to generate high returns with little or no risk. With little or no legitimate earnings, Ponzi schemes require a constant flow of money from new investors to continue. Ponzi schemes inevitably collapse, most often when it becomes difficult to recruit new investors or when a large number of investorsask for their funds to be returned.
Since Ponzi schemes can fly under the radar for years before they unravel, it is important to be vigilant and practice due diligence when deciding where to invest your hard-earned dollars. If the professional you are working with guarantees you above-market, no-risk returns on your investments, then this should be a red flag. The Filipino community is strongly advised to avoid investment professionals who guarantee a specific return of investment (ROI) and rate of return with no risk. In particular, be wary and cautious of transactions that require you to contribute financial resources, and/or to share your personal and banking information.
