[Glossary](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/) · Fraud and security # Investment scam **In short:** an investment scam is an offer to put money into a "safe" opportunity with high returns, with no licensed provider and no real investment behind it — the money is simply taken. **Simply put:** It often starts with an advert or a message, followed by a "personal adviser". The platform shows growing "profits", but you can't withdraw — or you must first pay a "fee" or "tax". The red flags: guaranteed high returns with no risk, pressure to decide quickly, an unlicensed seller, an unclear product. **Example:** You pay in €250; a month later the screen shows €900. When you ask to withdraw, you are told to pay a €300 "release fee". That is a second scam on top of the first. **Watch out:** numbers on a screen are just numbers. The real test is whether you can withdraw the money to your bank. **What to do:** five questions before any investment — who is the licensed provider, where does the return come from, can I get out, what is on paper, can I lose everything. Check the financial supervisor's register. **Source:** ESMA — warnings and publications for investors: https://www.esma.europa.eu/investor-corner/warning-and-publications-investors · Example: Bulgaria — Financial Supervision Commission (FSC), registers and warnings: https://www.fsc.bg ## In depth in the modules - [Module 17](https://pecuvo.eu/en/modules/fraud-pyramids-and-getting-rich-quick/) ## Related terms - [Pyramid scheme ("guaranteed high returns")](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/pyramid-scheme/) - [Ponzi scheme](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/ponzi-scheme/) - [Crypto scam](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/crypto-scam/) - [Fake celebrity adverts](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/fake-celebrity-adverts/) - [Checking a licence](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/licence-check/) - [Financial Supervision Commission (FSC)](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/fsc/)