It's almost impossible to know how much is really stolen in Ponzi Schemes each year. The cryptocurrency scams reported in the Wall Street Journal are larger than the 60 reported at Ponzi Tracker. Let's do some Ponzi math and add the two.


According to Ponzitracker, 60 Ponzi schemes were allegedly uncovered in 2019 that involved a collective $3.245 billion in investor funds. The statistics mark an abrupt reversal to a multi-year downward trend that in 2018 saw the lowest number of alleged Ponzi scheme discoveries in ten years.


Ponzi schemes are the latest form of bitcoin fraud, with big platforms like one called PlusToken drawing the most money.

Cryptocurrency Scams Took in More Than $4 Billion in 2019 - WSJ


There are some tips from a CNBC article on avoiding scams, the first are pretty clear cut. The later two in red are hot button items for me. Investors should NEVER be getting statements or withdrawals from the promoter. Statements at a minimum need to be verified by an independent third party. Better still a third party should be auditing funds and generating the statements. Money should always be segregated and the promoter granted no personal access. If you're calling anyone other than a bank, trust administrator, or licensed investment firm about your money look out below.


Do a background check
Watch for high-pressure sales tactics
Know what you’re investing in


Find out how they get paid
Check your statements

More than 8,000 investors were misled by this $1.2B Ponzi scheme