Investment or deposit scheme: warning signs and what to do

What to do

A promise of high fixed monthly profit, or to double your money, is the clearest sign of a scheme that pays early investors with later investors' money. Only licensed banks, finance companies and MFIs may take deposits.

Warning signs

Promises guaranteed or risk-free profit.
Promises to double your money.
Promises a fixed monthly or daily profit.
Pays you for bringing in new members.
Deposit scheme presented as an agro, fisheries or cooperative project.
Promises a fixed amount back for an investment.
Asks for a fee, "tax" or deposit before you can withdraw your money: the step that comes just before a platform disappears.
Offers profit from a tokay gecko or a "rice puller" object.

How this scam has played out

Crypto "trading platform" Ponzi (the CBEX pattern)

CBEX, an app claiming AI arbitrage trading, promised 100% returns in 30 days, froze withdrawals in April 2025, then demanded an upfront payment before letting people withdraw. Nigeria's SEC put losses at N1.3 trillion from about 600,000 investors and said it could not recover the money.

Source: Vanguard (Apr 2025), SEC Nigeria · Elliptic (2025) · The Daily Star (Aug 2023), MTFE in Bangladesh

Tokay gecko and "rice puller" investment frauds

Investors are told a tokay gecko or a "rice puller" metal object will sell abroad for crores, and are asked for booking fees and testing costs. The Daily Star described gecko websites claiming millions of dollars per gram and an investor who lost Tk 70 lakh; trading geckos is also illegal under the Wildlife (Protection and Safety) Act 2012.

Source: The Daily Star (2013) · The News Minute (India)

Where to check

Received a message or offer like this? Check it before you pay.

Check it now

Help and helplines

National emergency 999
Police Cyber Support for Women 01320-000888
Visa check for Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Ami Probashi, paid) 16768

This guide is a warning about a pattern; it does not accuse any particular person or organisation.