You receive a letter in the mail, or perhaps spot an ad in your morning paper, offering free information on an unbelievable investment. Be careful! Fraud comes under a lot of guises, but one of the most popular ways to reel in unsuspecting investors is through these seminars.

How Does Investment Seminar Fraud Work?

Although some investment seminars are legitimate, any seminar that promises an opportunity that is easy, requires little money down, and “guarantees” high returns should make you pause. These types of investment scams entice people in with a free seminar offering beginning investment advice and maybe a free dinner or prizes. When you get there, though:

• There are extra fees, additional “exclusive” seminars, or special software to be purchased
• You are pressured to buy now, or miss out
• You’re offered a suspicious loan to get you started and cover the cost of the next seminar
• The investment seminar advertises a fantastic-sounding investment, but when the time comes to buy, you’re offered something completely different

Where Does It Go Wrong?

At this point, you probably get the feeling something “fishy” is going on, but where does that money actually go? If you run into the “red flags” above, there’s a good chance your hard-earned cash is actually going into one of the following forms of investment fraud:

• Ponzi Schemes. The fraudster uses the money taken in from expensive seminars to pay off investors, giving the appearance of legitimacy.
• Promissory Notes. Unsecured promissory notes are often a front for scams.
• Commissions. The investment opportunity is probably a lemon, but the fraudster makes a big commission from each and every sale.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Many investment scams have been peddled through so-called “free lunch” investment seminars across the nation. While there are some legitimate investment seminars out there, it’s always worth approaching these promotions with caution. If you are interested in an investment seminar opportunity, here are a few steps you can take to make sure it’s legitimate:

• Before the Seminar: Learn more about the company sponsoring it. Check out their website and request that more information be mailed to you. Talk to state and federal regulators about the seminar and the company running it. Determine if the person is even registered and can legally represent what is being pitched—check out FINRA's BrokerCheck.
• During the Seminar: Ask questions. Make sure you understand the risks. Take any high-pressure sales tactics or pressure to “buy now” as a red flag. Get documentation in writing.
• After the Seminar: Wait to make a decision until after the seminar. Verify what you’ve been told, and look for any “fine print” in the documents you’ve received. Carefully consider how it fits in with your financial goals and overall investment plan.

If you have further questions, or if you believe you have already lost money in an investment scam, reach out to the experienced investment fraud attorneys with Meyer Wilson today.