The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy unveiled an anti-fraud public service campaign warning investors about relationship investment scams, which it says can have devastating impacts on investors’ financial futures. The scams typically involve a “long con” in which fraudsters contact targets online or by text, build trust through friendship or romance, and then persuade them to invest in phony opportunities. The campaign includes two animated videos, a dedicated resource page explaining how these scams work and how to protect against them, an investing quiz focused on the scams, and a new article by the OIEA Director. Investor guidance includes ignoring and blocking messages from unknown senders, treating unsolicited investment opportunities as a red flag regardless of the relationship, stopping communication and sending no further money if a scam is suspected, and reporting the scam to the SEC.
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission 2025-04-16
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launches public service campaign warning investors about relationship investment scams
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy launched an anti-fraud campaign to warn investors about relationship investment scams. These scams involve fraudsters building trust through online or text interactions before persuading victims to invest in fake opportunities. The campaign features educational videos, a resource page, an investing quiz, and guidance on recognizing and reporting scams.