How not to suffer from the financial pyramid

What is a pyramid scheme

Pyramid scheme - an organization in which some participants are benefiting at the expense of other contributions. Those who are closer to the top of it, the organizers can do to increase their wealth, but only at the expense of defrauded investors from the step below.

Successful members of such organizations literally steal from others. Just happens it's not in a dark alley.

With a type of Ponzi scheme, we know from childhood. And it's not about "MMM". The book Nikolai Nosov "Dunno on the Moon"Shorty Miga and Julio base stock" Society of giant plants. " They produce "securities", the money from the sale of which should go to a good cause: to build a rocket that will take to the moon's surface to its nucleus seeds of giant plants. Recent remained on the spacecraft, which flew Dunno.

Subsequently, the shares pledged to exchange for these same seeds. But in the end Miga and Julio had fled with the money shorties, and "Company of the giant plants" get what predicted one of the honest participants in the events.

And the fact is, gather any gang of crooks - Goat said. - to issue shares, sell them, and run away with the money themselves. It was then, too, say that society is exhausted.

Nikolai Nosov "Dunno on the Moon"

Such a pyramid with a simple scheme - is now a rarity. They were replaced by multi-level system, through which the organization lasts longer, and its creators earn more.

How does the financial pyramid

Consider the most common version of the pyramid, purified from all husk, which acts as a cover.

Customers with high yield under some pretext great promise profitIf they invest their money in this venture. And at first they really benefit - at the expense of other participants contributions. In this case, the organization may conduct investment activity to cover. But profit from it - a penny. The main income - cash infusion of new members.

If the number of participants of the pyramid increases the income of previous contributors grow. It motivates those entice new members and say with confidence that the right thing and leads to enrichment. All this happens exactly to the moment when expenses start to exceed revenues. And this is possible because the customer growth is not at the same pace. As a result, investors last stage just lose all the money. And usually it is a lot of people who have pursued an easy profit and lost everything.

In the worst case, remuneration and old members are paid irregularly, but accumulated on some internal accounts. In this case, the money will be deprived of the pioneers and fraudulent enterprise. But the organizers of the course.

Why do people invest in pyramid schemes

Because they want quickly and easily grow rich. But few know that it is not about financial instruments, and even conducting personal accounts.

In addition, the financial pyramids are not so simple. Such organizations do not put a pyramid on the logo and do not reflect the essence of the title. On the contrary, they skillfully disguised. Among the common screens - investment companies, network marketing, cooperatives, and so on. The bait is easy to get caught if you do not know much about the issue.

Low financial literacy and thirst for easy money - a combination that literally paves the route to fraudsters paws.

The state is not able to effectively protect citizens from financial pyramids. The relevant lawArticle 172.2 of the Criminal Code. Organization to attract activities in cash and (or) other property appeared in 2016 and applies only to the pyramids in its purest form: if their only income - money savers.

How to recognize a financial pyramid

To start using the criteria that set the central bank to identify financial pyramids. They do not guarantee that the organization - crooks, but give reason to guard.

1. Promise very high yield

When investing applies: the higher the estimated percentage of earnings, the higher the risk. So your money one way or another in danger, even if we are not talking about a pyramid. There is reason to think three times before invest money.

2. Guaranteed profitability

This is not the alarm bell, and alarm. Ensure profitability prohibitedArticle 28. Advertising of financial services and financial activitiesSo that the organization has played fair.

3. The lack of a license for attracting funds

The company should be permissive document from the Federal Commission for the Securities Market (existed prior to March 2004), the Federal Service for Financial Markets (March 2004 - August 2013), or the Central Bank (September 2013) to carry out activities to raise money funds. If the paper is not, it is an occasion guard.

4. A lot of advertising

A large number of videos and banners are not only annoying, but also signals the danger.

5. The absence of any information on the financial position of the organization

Transparency - a good indication of its absence - on the contrary.

6. Payments by one party of the other members' contributions

Not to speak of income, if the money is simply distributed within the company rather than multiplied.

7. No own fixed assets

If the company does not have expensive assets, its bankruptcy investors just stay with nothing.

8. There is no precise definition of the organization

Here again, the lack of transparency. If you just can not understand what the company does, it's most likely not in your mental abilities.

You can also check:

• Who runs the company. How will the past projects.
• Does the organization's charter.
• Where deposits lie.
• where to go investors' money.

Why do you have never invested in a pyramid scheme

The scam usually leads to the fact that a huge number of investors losing all the money. With this we understand. But surely some head lines up a cunning plan, in accordance with which they intend to be closer to the top of the pyramid and earn less agile fellow citizens. So, too, do not need.

The idea that any enrichment at the expense of participation in a pyramid - stealing other people's money, was already in the text. Let it stuck.

By the way, if you are actively agitiruete people to invest in a pyramid, you may be finedArticle 14.62 of the Administrative Code. Activities to raise funds and (or) other property in the amount of from 5 to 50 thousand rubles.

What if you have already got involved in a pyramid scheme

The good news is almost not there. If you see the light before the company recognized a pyramid scheme, and it ceased to exist, the conclusion of her money as soon as possible. If you are late or in the company refused to return the money on the basis of the items of the contract, the savings you are likely to see no more. But try to change the situation stands.

1. Point to the company a written claim with the requirement to return the money. If your requirements are not satisfied, contact the prosecutor's office, write to the Central Bank.
2. Find the other victims of the pyramid, and filed a lawsuit. Pre-assemble the evidence of the transfer of money, prepare the documents.

Depositors some companies willing to compensate Defense Fund rights of depositors and shareholders. However, we are talking only about the organizations of registry. And the amount of compensation is small - no more than 25 thousand rubles. Second World War veterans and the disabled may qualify for up to $ 250,000.