When to run from scams

by Tony Clifton

So often everyone discuss how to recognize the good programs from the bad ones, when to invest and when to stay away, which programs and ponzies and which are not. We have devoted tons of articles about that and will keep adding. But let me this time think in another direction. What if you are already in?

You have made the decision and have invested in a program. You have hit the "confirm" button on the e-gold spend screen and there is no way back. Now you can only wait the time to prove if you were right or wrong.

Unfortunately many programs will not allow you to withdraw your principal at any time or will not allow you to withdraw it at all - because it is included in the payments. Obviously there is no way to cash out in such a program, but you can at least stop compounding if you are doing that (and the program offers such a feature). This article will be more useful for the programs which does not lock your principal. Several things need to raise your attention about your investment.

Payment troubles
Sometimes it is too late to run away when the payment problems start. However sometimes the programs keep paying for a while before they die - sporadically payments, payments only thru some money processor, only to some accounts etc. Maybe you remember FastMarket which was exactly this kind of program. It is very hard to understand why they do it when they could just run away immediately. Possible reason is that they are hoping to get more suckers because of these who will spread out for being paid. Another possibility is that they are trying to win time and clean their tracks. Anyway, should you see problems like late payment or some members not getting paid try to get your money out and run away.

Follow the cheerleaders
I have to confess that i hate these people. They are stupid and dangerous and they are one of the most powerfull tools in the scammer's hands. But you can also watch their behaviour and determine the program status. They are real barometers. Most major programs have a lot of cheerleaders so all you need to do is to visit the popular forums and read the opinions. Untill there are fights between the cheerleaders and the naysayers usually everything is ok.
Should you see the supporters getting quiet - or worse - panicking about various problems in the programs (such like late payments, lack of support or publicly made valid scam warnings) you must run as soon as you can. Sounds like the cheerleaders know better whats going on with the programs? Not really. But without their support every ponzi dies. You don't really want to wait the supporters screaming scam - it will be too late.

New attractive plans, promotions, bonuses, rising the minimum, lowering the minimum and any other major changes
You obviously must judge yourself. Not every major change is a bad prophecy. If the program is real, the changes like rising the minimum or new plans shouldn't worry you too much. If you know you are playing ponzi, it should be clear enough for you that it is not for good.
There is no reason for a real program to lower the minimum investment unless the initial one was set very high. Neither a real program would offer any bonuses except maybe small ones on anniversaries or holidays.

Warnigns in independent review sites or blogs
If you see a warning in a single blog, monitor, ezine or review site there is probably not much to worry (yet). If you see similar warning about the program in another independent place the things are getting dangerous. If you see third, its time to fly away. They can be all wrong, but they can still destroy your selected program, especially if it is a ponzi. You may don't want to believe these "naysayers", but you'd better think how many other will believe them and pull out their money.

Almost all of the above would mean almost nothing if the program you have invested in is a real one and does not need new spends to survive. But how many real and well managed programs are out there? Bettter threat everything as ponzi and run away when you see some bad flag. If the HYIP is good and survives the trouble, you can always join again - when the noise is gone.

Picture from http://www.byte-technology.com/

Published at Jan, 30 '06 , Read 705 times.

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