At the Regional Commercial Forum 2026, the Financial Superintendence of Colombia warned citizens to verify whether an entity, person or platform is authorized to raise money from the public before handing over funds, investing resources or accepting credit offers. The message was delivered by Nicolás Pavel Cortés, Director of Control of the Illegal Exercise of Financial Activity, and focused on common warning signs in purported investment and lending offers. Warning signs included promises of quick, safe and risk-free returns, including claims of zero risk, exorbitant profits, very high returns in a short period, or the possibility of doubling or tripling money through supposed investments in international platforms, trading operations or foreign exchange. The authority also highlighted the risk of fake lenders that offer easy and rapid loans with few requirements but ask people to pay upfront for items such as studies, insurance, procedures, commissions or administrative expenses before any disbursement.