Relationship Investment Scams
On April 16, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release regarding their Anti-Fraud Public Service Campaign warning investors about relationship investment scams.
These relationship investment scams are sometimes called romance scams and often start through messaging apps, social media or dating apps. The scammer is in it for the long-haul and slowly builds trust. Once trust is established, the scammer brings up an investment opportunity and pressures the investor to act fast. They may even have a website that looks legitimate. Once money is invested, the scammer disappears with the investor’s money.
Remember all investments involve risk. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is pressuring you to make a quick decision, do your own research to confirm it is a legitimate investment and ask questions until you are comfortable. Remember it is easy to create a fake website that shows fake investment numbers. Stick to platforms that are widely recognized or recommended by a trusted advisor.
The best way to protect yourself is to limit the personal and financial information you share online or with anyone you have never met in person and ignore any messages you receive from senders you do not know.
For more information go to www.sec.gov or www.investor.gov.
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Non-investment topics discussed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax or cybersecurity advice. Individuals should consult with their own legal, tax or cybersecurity expert concerning their own specific situation.
