Scammers use many types of investment fraud. Among the famous investment scams, the biggest examples are using Ponzi schemes, pig butchering, ICO scams, and fake investment websites.
According to authorities, there are over 25,000 scam investment websites targeting the USA, Europe, and Australia separately.
Additionally, according to the ScamWatch, those websites, many times, have some certificates, or documents that prove them real and legit but even those documents are fake.
If you become a victim of it, you are left to deal with stolen identities, damaged credit, and loss of money. It also leaves victims angry, fearful, and frustrated.
It can be challenging to fully recover; however, the police must be involved immediately.
Just reporting any kind of investment fraud, no matter how small it might seem, would prevent further consumers from falling victim and allow for law enforcement agencies, regulators, or government bodies to go after such criminals.
Normally, criminals, after withdrawing your funds, will just spend all of them at once. However, even though the return may never come your way again, redemption involves much more than lost dollars.
It’s about keeping your future finances safe as well as helping you heal emotionally from the incident. We suggest the following steps to help you reclaim control from the scammers and move on.
By the way, if you have fallen victim to scams on fraudulent investment websites, our team of funds recovery experts is here to fight on your behalf and help you reclaim your money. Contact them at this email address.
recover@onlineinvestmentscams.com
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How do investment scams work?
Three types of scams are prevalent in the investment space.
- The truth is that the company itself does not even exist.
- It is possible that whatever you have given them was not meant for that project.
- As a matter of fact, these individuals claim to be company agents representing well-known entities but this is usually a lie.
It’s all the same; once you “invest” money into their account, it’s gone. Once your money goes abroad, it becomes nearly impossible to get it back.
Scammers can easily deceive anyone and every scam is unique. At times, they are hard to notice and may look like genuine offers. Some apps and websites created by scammers appear professional, while others counterfeit real firms.
Checklist for recovery from investment fraud
You can recover from investment websites by following these procedures, but be sure to take them quickly to prevent more issues with your recovery.
Create an investment fraud file:
Collect all documentation related to the fraud in one file and store it somewhere safe. The document should have a section containing the name, contacts, and web address of the perpetrator.
Also, if there are any, include both assumed regulatory registration numbers of the offender as well as events that may have taken place for years like this.
You must also have a copy of any law enforcement reports that you filed regarding the fraud and any notes or relevant documentation about the fraud itself. Additionally, include your most current credit report from all three credit reporting agencies.
Contact your bank:
Next, victims of investment scams should contact their banks. For example, depending on how you paid for the scam investment, you may be able to get a refund.
Credit card – credit card payments are not a guarantee of recovery but they have more protection and responsibility than other payment forms. You need to reach out to your credit card company once you detect any fraudulent activity.
Debit card – some banks participate in chargeback schemes but it is not certain that yours will be able to retrieve the money through chargeback. Still, it is better to alert your bank about the investment fraud as soon as possible.
Bank transfer – In instances where one has been conned into transferring funds for an investment fraud scam, contact your financial institution straight away. The bank can trace the money.
Unauthorized – if you didn’t authorize the removal of money from your account,t it’s possible to make a claim. Get in touch with your bank promptly once this takes place.
Get legal help:
If you have been defrauded through an investment, it is important to seek legal help. Investment fraud lawyers specialize in cases involving people who have had the misfortune of losing money due to an investment scam or financial advisers’ negligence.
Furthermore, these professionals can assist you in recovering your investments through the judicial system.
You are protected by federal and state laws as a victim of investment fraud.
It is also a good idea to get in touch with your nearest U.S. Attorney’s Office so that you can get some clarity on your rights and possibly consult your state attorney general for further details.
“The Investor Bill of Rights” has been developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) to protect individuals in the financial markets.
Additionally, the Helpline from the VictimConnect Resource Center helps crime victims know their rights anonymously.
Thus, seeking legal help will ensure that you are well informed and empowered to take action against those responsible for your financial loss
Report the fraud to the authorities:
This is because it will mark the beginning of the recovery process, ensure that those responsible are investigated and ensure that there is no more damage done to other people.
Local Law Enforcement: Call a local law enforcement office to make a police report.
District Attorney: Call your local district attorney’s office.
Attorney General: Contact the consumer protection and prosecution units of your state’s attorney general to report the fraud.
Federal Law Enforcement: Call your local FBI field office or submit an online tip. You can also file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI.
Seek help from firms specializing in recovering funds:
Consult the experts at ‘Online Investment Scams‘ in case you are a victim of an investment scam. They can help you recover your losses.
These experts understand how to investigate suspicious actions, talk with banks, and use legal loopholes to increase the chances of returning your money.
OIS understands how complicated these investment scams are, and they strive to assist you in regaining your funds.
You would be better off seeking assistance from these professionals rather than going it alone, as it may ease the process of having your money returned. You can contact here:
recover@onlineinvestmentscams.com
If you suspect an investment company is scam, what should you do?
- The first thing you should do if you think an investment is a scam is to find information about it. Don’t let them force you; they want to rush you. You can also search on the internet using the name of the company and words such as “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.”.
- Check if company is real: The next big step you should take is to verify if the investment company is real. Simply, search it on the free tools where you can find company registrations. For instance, in the United States, the tool is Ask and check. Similarly, your country must have some public data to check and verify companies.
- Check on scam alert: There are many free websites working hard to help innocent people. Scam Alert is also a very good initiative. You can check the crypto address or website to make sure if it’s a scam or not.
- Secondly, share this with a friend or someone who advises you. You might not have received such an offer before but chances are that you know people who have, especially since scams tend to focus on one particular community, according to the FTC.
- Thirdly, avoid unsolicited offers. If ever you receive a spontaneous call, text message, or email about ‘an incredible investment opportunity’, be informed that it is a scam.
- Lastly, avoid High-Pressure pitches.
A reputable firm will give you the chance to do some homework before any money is handed over. Where there’s pressure to decide very quickly, it’s probably a scam. Say no to high-pressure sales tactics.
Beware of Time-Sensitive Offers:
Scammers usually weave their sales pitches around current events, making them sound more important than they really are. Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true or too urgent. Try and see the opportunity from another perspective.
Delete the website, Hang Up, and Walk Away:
If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your gut. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends deleting, hanging up, and walking away if you are asked to take money out of your 401(k) or if it is getting too hard.
Remember, protecting yourself from scams takes caution, research, and advice from reliable sources. Prioritize your financial well-being at all times and avoid being coerced into snap decisions by high-pressure sellers.