The conditions that enable it.
WHAT MAKES IT ATTRACTIVE TO FRAUDSTERS
Transactions are irreversible Recipients can be pseudonymous Cross-border movement is trivial Regulation is uneven Technical complexity obscures what is happening Genuine volatility makes implausible returns seem possible
WHY THAT LAST POINT MATTERS MOST
Real assets have produced extraordinary gains, which makes fraudulent claims sound credible.
WHAT IRREVERSIBILITY MEANS FOR VICTIMS
No chargeback, no reversal, and usually no recovery.
WHAT COMPLEXITY ENABLES
Explanations that cannot be evaluated by the audience.
WHAT URGENCY IS USED FOR
Preventing the consideration that would reveal the fraud.
WHAT SOCIAL PROOF IS USED FOR
Substituting others' apparent confidence for your own judgement.
WHY THE SECTOR IS PARTICULARLY EXPOSED LOCALLY
High interest, currency pressure making returns attractive, and limited recourse.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Scepticism is not cynicism here; it is necessary.
WHAT THE UNIVERSAL RULE IS
Guaranteed returns do not exist.
WHAT ANY GUARANTEE INDICATES
Fraud, without exception.
WHAT TO APPLY TO EVERY OPPORTUNITY
Would this work if the returns were not promised?
