Red flags for potential investment fraud in Prime Bank programs include claims of risk-free returns as high as 40 percent in a short-term offering. Promoters may falsely claim the securities are backed by major banks or international finance organizations such as the World Bank or Federal Reserve.

Fraud schemes that launder money through complex webs of corporate shells make it more difficult – but not impossible – for investigators and tax officials to trace the flow of funds. Shutting down the ‘shell game’ is essential for fraud victims seeking restitution and financial recovery.

Skepticism and scrutiny should be given to any retail broker who promises their foreign exchange (forex) trading program will deliver easy or guaranteed profits. If an investment opportunity involving foreign currencies sounds too good to be true, it may be a form of forex fraud.

Perpetrators of affinity frauds seek to manipulate and leverage the high level of trust among tight-knit and insular communities, using word-of-mouth referrals to recruit members into pyramid schemes and similar investment frauds.

Unscrupulous promoters “pump” a publicly traded security, company stock or cryptocurrency by pitching private investors with false and misleading statements about potential returns. The share price crashes as soon as the insiders sell their shares.

Precious metals are an alternative market that can occasionally outperform traditional investments — but beware of unsolicited pitches from metal dealers and metal merchants that promise easy profits by buying and trading gold, silver, palladium, platinum or rare earth metals.