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05/28/2025
Can you spot an investment scam on social media?
FTC
Can you spot an investment scam if it comes from an actual friend’s page on social media? If someone you know is suddenly posting bank account screenshots, claiming they can teach you to make money quickly with little to no risk, it’s likely an investment scam. Keep scrolling to learn how to recognize the signs.
An old friend announces they’ve become an online investment guru. They fill your newsfeed with reels about their foolproof method of earning big money. Here’s one way the scam plays out: You comment on your “friend’s” post, and they direct message you, explaining the process but with few details. They might guarantee big returns and say it’s a limited time offer. They say to just send a few hundred dollars — maybe using cryptocurrency or a payment app like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal — to get started. Then, poof! Your “friend” blocks you and your “investment” is gone. Turns out, that was a scammer who took over your friend’s account to get their followers (like you) to “invest” your hard-earned money.
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