"Project or Business Investment" Scams

Project or Business Investment Scams

Investment schemes involve getting you or your business to part with money on the promise of a questionable financial opportunity. A scammer claiming to be a stockbroker or portfolio manager calls you and offers financial or investments advice. They will claim what they are offering is low-risk and will provide you with quick and high returns, or encourage you to invest in overseas companies. The scammer's offer will sound legitimate and they may have resources to back up their claims. They will be persistent and may keep calling you back.

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The scammer may claim that they are not approved by a real government regulator or affiliated with a genuine company.

The investments offered in these type of cold calls are usually share, mortgage, or real estate high-return schemes, options trading or foreign currency trading. The scammer is operating from overseas, and will not have an Australian Financial Services licence.

The scammer encourages you to buy shares in a company that they predict is about to increase in value. You may be contacted by email or the message will be posted in a forum. The message will seem like an inside tip and stress that you need to act quickly. The scammer is trying to boost the price of stock so they can sell shares they have already bought, and make a huge profit. The share value will then go down dramatically.

If you invest you will be left with large losses or shares that are virtually worthless.

Investment seminars are promoted by promising motivational speakers, investment experts, or self-made millionaires who will give you expert advice on investing. They are designed to convince you into following high risk investment strategies such as borrowing large sums of money to buy property, or investments that involve lending money on a no security basis or other risky terms.

Promoters make money by charging you an attendance fee, selling overpriced reports or books, and by selling investments and property without letting you get independent advice. The investments on offer are generally overvalued and you may end up having to pay fees and commissions that the promoters did not tell you about. High pressure sales tactics or false and misleading claims are often used to pressure you into investing, such as guaranteed rent or discounts for buying off the plan.

If you invest there is a high chance you will lose money.

Warning signs

You receive a call, or repeated calls, from someone offering unsolicited advice on investments. They may try to keep you on the phone for a long time, or try and transfer you to a more senior person. You are told that you need to act quickly and invest or you will miss out.

You receive an email from a stranger offering advice on the share price of a particular company. It may not be addressed to you personally, and may even give the impression it was sent to you by mistake.

An advertisement or seminar makes claims such as 'risk-free investment', 'be a millionaire in three years', or 'get-rich quick'.

You are invited to attend a free seminar, but there are high fees to attend any further sessions. The scammer, posing as the promoter, may offer you a loan to cover both the cost of your attendance at the additional seminars and investments.

You see an advertisement promising a quick and easy way to 'unlock' your superannuation early.

Protect yourself

Do not give your details to an unsolicited caller or reply to emails offering financial advice or investment opportunities - just hang up or delete the email.

Be suspicious of investment opportunities that promise a high return with little or no risk.

Check if a financial advisor is registered. Any business or person that offers or advises you about financial products must be registerd.

Do not let anyone pressure you into making decisions about your money or investments and never commit to any investment at a seminar - always get independent legal or financial advice.

Do not respond to emails from strangers offering predictions on shares, investment tips, or investment advice.

If you feel an offer to buy shares might be legitimate, always check the company's listing on the stock exchange for its current value and recent shares performance. Some offers to buy your shares may be well below market value.

Never commit to any investment at a seminar - always take time to consider the opportunity and seek independent financial advice.

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Comments 101

Jun 2, 2020 at 6:18 PM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
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"From: "Mrs Zarina Bte." Date: May 31, 2020 at 16:00:34 GMT 3 To: Undisclosed recipients:; Subject: I need your reply 2 Reply-To: Hello! I have contacted you in request for an investment to be a fund manager to my client. I am an attorney/solicitor, My client wish to invest in public and private sectors in a broad range of areas including real estate, energy, oil and gas, emerging markets, and high-technology. Within the technology sector, the firm focuses on communications, software, and digital content and services. My client Sofea Aladdin is from Jaramana Syrian Arab Kingdom. She wish to invest between $80 Million to $100 Million USD in any viable business that will yield good profit at the end of every year. This will be a silent and Private Placement Investments. Endeavor to respond promptly if you are in interested on the investment plans. I shall explain more to you on how the investment should go. I shall also link you up with my client to discus terms before we proceed. My regards to your family Sincerely, Mrs Zarina Bte." Here is another scam.

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Apr 2, 2020 at 2:59 PM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
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"From: AYTO. LUJAR To: info@jerry.org Date: Thursday, April 2, 2020, 11:00 AM -0400 Subject: Re: Read! Contact to my E-mail ID: (jerrywyne790@gmail.com >I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a means of investment, I am proposing to invest the sum of Twelve Million United States Dollars ($12,000,000.00USD)in your country ContacE-mail ID: (jerrywyne790@gmail.com)" Here is another scam.

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Feb 8, 2020 at 9:14 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"partnerships business ventures,,k, Sat 2/8/2020 7:17 AM From: "Mr. Ryan Roger" - rr7035707@gmail.com Good Day, My name is Mr. Ryan Roger the Independent Financial Consultant. We are contacting you concerning funding of your business project. We are interested to partnership with you as we are seeking to diversify our financial portfolio into viable and lucrative business projects that worth it, We are most interested in partnerships business ventures in Medical and Health care projects, Real estate projects, mining projects, agricultural projects renewable energy projects, Oil and Gas, start-up projects and business expansions / Loan with lower rate, Your swift response is highly needed. Best Regard, Ryan Roger" Here is another scam.

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Feb 7, 2020 at 7:19 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"Dear Sir/Madam, Hope you're ok today,I am a private investment broker from USA.I represent some private but large bulk investors based in the Gulf Region. They are seeking means of expanding and relocating business interest abroad in the following sectors like hotel/leisure, hospitality, real estate, five star malls or five star office complexes or any fast interest generating businesses. it will be my pleasure to talk with u should you have a solid background and idea of making good profit in any of the mentioned business sectors or any other viable business in your Country, Please write me for possible business Co-operation. More so, we are ready to facilitate and fund any business that is capable of generating 3-5% annual return on investment (AROI) Joint Venture partnership and hard loan funding can also be considered. I am available to discuss this proposal with you and to answer any questions you may have in regard to this investment. Thanks for your kind understanding. Dr. Kenneth Ford Regional Consultant 1 281 571 7701" Here is another scam.

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Feb 7, 2020 at 7:16 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
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"From: Kofi Sarpong Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2020 at 12:54 pm Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL Good day my name is Kofi Sarpong, I am an official banker in Ghana with a long service experience. I request your cooperation on behalf of an investor, to receive a deposit of $12.5 million United States dollars in our suspense account for investment in your country, with a 60/40 sharing benefits on the revenue. I would make available to you necessary document that would facilitate your application as beneficiary of the funds. Funds would be released to you once your details are verified by our compliance unit. All arrangement will be done on your behalf to release the funds into your account.Your information will be protected and handled privately with no risk involved.Please get back to me for further clarifications and directives on the process. Please contact me with this email address: sarpongt@aol.com Your cooperation is highly appreciated Regards, Kofi Sarpong" Here is another scam.

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Feb 3, 2020 at 4:04 PM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"From: Kofi Sarpong Date: February 3, 2020 at 4:34:36 AM MST To: undisclosed-recipients:; Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL Good day my name is Kofi Sarpong, I am an official banker in Ghana with a long service experience. I request your cooperation on behalf of an investor, to receive a deposit of $12.5 million United States dollars in our suspense account for investment in your country, with a 60/40 sharing benefits on the revenue. I would make available to you necessary document that would facilitate your application as beneficiary of the funds. Funds would be released to you once your details are verified by our compliance unit. All arrangement will be done on your behalf to release the funds into your account.Your information will be protected and handled privately with no risk involved.Please get back to me for further clarifications and directives on the process. Please contact me with this email address: kofisarpong296@aol.com Your cooperation is highly appreciated Regards, Kofi Sarpong" Here is another scam.

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Feb 3, 2020 at 7:25 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"Good day for your urgent review. Sun 2/2/2020 3:53 PM From: "Mr.AHMED ABDULAH" To: info@onlinethreatalerts.com Hello, Contacting you officially is my pleasure for a great unique business investment in your region. However, I need your official consent and co-operation that will be of best interest and greatachievement in our favor, over the investment sum of ($12.6Millions US Dollars or more). I'll appreciate your response for more business details to proceed officially. Thanks in anticipation. Yours Sincerely AHMED ABDULAH ahmedabdullahh426@gmail.com" Here is another scam.

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Jan 29, 2020 at 8:04 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"Hello Investor, Greetings, My name is Rev. Dr. Simon Baum, I'm a Financial Lender. I offer personal Loans, Real Estate, Business Loans, Bridge Loans,Commercial loans to individuals/companies who can utilize it well and make good returns within the maximum time duration of 10 years and amortized over 30 years at 5% interest rate. Minimum Financing: $20,000.00 Maximum Financing: $50,000,000 Contact me via email or call me directly on my cell ( 1) (409) 645-9161. If you are interested in my service. Email: loanservicecorp@gmail.com Best Regards, Rev. Dr. Simon Baum Reply to: loanservicecorp@gmail.com ( 1) (409) 645-9161 (call or text Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm) Thank you." Here is another scam.

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Jan 18, 2020 at 9:19 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"From: Yvonne Ramsey Sent: 18 January 2020 12:20 Subject: Business Proposal! For more details contact me on : Akarlsson6619@gmail.com NOTE: This business is worth 75Million EUR, You must be above 30yrs of age please. Best Regards, Anders Karlsson of Swedebank" Here is another scam.

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Jan 4, 2020 at 8:52 AM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"From: Kofi Sarpong Date: January 4, 2020 at 5:42:30 AM MST To: undisclosed-recipients:; Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL Good day my name is Kofi Sarpong, I am an official banker in Ghana with a long service experience. I request your cooperation on behalf of an investor, to receive a deposit of $12.5 million United States dollars in our suspense account for investment in your country, with a 60/40 sharing benefits on the revenue. I would make available to you necessary document that would facilitate your application as beneficiary of the funds. Funds would be released to you once your details are verified by our compliance unit. All arrangement will be done on your behalf to release the funds into your account.Your information will be protected and handled privately with no risk involved.Please get back to me for further clarifications and directives on the process. Please contact me with this email address: sarpongkofi296@aol.com Your cooperation is highly appreciated Regards, Kofi Sarpong" Here is another scam.

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Dec 20, 2019 at 4:08 PM by
"Project or Business Investment" Scams
info

"From: MRS MARGRET ZUTA FAMILY Date: December 20, 2019 at 1:36:11 PM MST Subject: INVESTMENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL Reply-To: margretzuta@gmail.com INVESTMENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL #182 Broad street Ilove Rose bank, Johannesburg, South Africa. Email : margretzuta@gmail.com Dear Sir/Madam Naturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have not met, i have US$15 Million Funds, i want you to receiving this money on my behalf into your bank account pending my arrival to meet with you in your country for investment proposed pls contact me for more details Cheers and God bless. Best Regards, MRS.MARGRET ZUTA FAMILY EMAIL : margretzuta@gmail.com" Here is another scam.

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"Project or Business Investment" Scams