Ponzi Schemes: How They Work & Why People Still Fall for Them
•By Maher Alias
Artikel ini juga tersedia dalam Bahasa Melayu
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Ponzi schemes are nothing new, but they continue to claim victims in Malaysia. From the MBI International case that cost billions of ringgit to small-scale schemes operating through social media, the pattern of fraud keeps repeating because many people do not understand how they work.
In this article, you will learn what a Ponzi scheme really is, how it operates, the warning signs to watch for, and concrete steps to protect your money.
A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud where returns paid to early investors come from new investors' money - not from actual business profits. It will inevitably collapse when the number of new investors is insufficient to pay existing ones.
The name "Ponzi" comes from Charles Ponzi, an Italian immigrant in the United States who ran a massive fraud scheme in 1920. Ponzi promised returns of 50% within 45 days or 100% within 90 days through trading International Reply Coupons.
In reality, Ponzi never ran a profitable postal coupon business. Instead, he used new investors' money to pay "returns" to earlier investors. Within the first eight months of 1920, Ponzi collected USD15 million from approximately 30,000 investors before the scheme was exposed.
Although Charles Ponzi was not the first person to run this type of fraud, his name became synonymous with the scheme due to the enormous scale of his deception at the time.
To understand Ponzi schemes more clearly, here is how they operate:
The scheme operator offers an "investment" opportunity with extremely high returns - typically 10% to 30% per month or more. These returns far exceed legitimate investment rates such as fixed deposits (3-4% per year) or the stock market (average 8-10% per year).
When new investors hand over their money, the scheme operator uses it to pay "returns" to earlier investors. No real investment is made - money simply moves from one pocket to another.
Early investors who receive returns become "proof" that the scheme works. They then influence family and friends to invest as well. This creates a snowball effect where money flows in faster and faster.
The scheme cannot last forever. It will collapse when:
Many people confuse Ponzi schemes with pyramid schemes. While both are fraudulent, there are important differences:
| Feature | Ponzi Scheme | Pyramid Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Managed by a single individual/central company | Participants actively recruit new members |
| Source of "returns" | New investors' money | Membership fees from new participants |
| Product | Usually no real product | Sometimes has a product (but secondary) |
| Participant awareness | Investors usually unaware it is fraud | Participants often know they need to recruit |
| Duration | Can last for years | Usually collapses faster |
In the Malaysian context, the Securities Commission (SC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) publish warning lists of companies suspected of running both types of schemes.
Here are the red flags you should watch for before handing over your money to any "investment":
If someone promises returns of 15-30% per month with no risk, it is almost certainly a scam. No legitimate investment can guarantee such consistently high returns. Even the world's best investment funds suffer losses in certain years.
When asked "where is this money being invested?", the answers are vague, evasive, or use confusing technical jargon. Legitimate investments are always transparent about their strategy and risks.
In Malaysia, any individual or company offering investment products MUST be registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia. Check registration status before investing.
"Limited opportunity!", "Slots almost full!", "Price goes up tomorrow!" - time pressure tactics are a hallmark of Ponzi schemes. Legitimate investments give you time to think and do your research.
In the early stages, withdrawals may be easy (to build trust). But over time, various excuses are given to delay or prevent withdrawals - "the system is being upgraded", "you need to wait for the maturity period", "there is an early withdrawal fee".
Ponzi schemes often offer large bonuses to investors who successfully bring in new investors. This is because the scheme operator needs a continuous flow of new money to keep operating.
Legitimate investments provide a prospectus, periodic account statements, and clear contracts. Ponzi schemes typically rely only on verbal promises, WhatsApp screenshots of "proof of returns", or unprofessional-looking documents.
Malaysia is no exception to Ponzi scheme fraud. Here are some of the largest cases:
MBI International, based in Penang and founded by Tedy Teow, is considered one of the largest Ponzi schemes in the region. Through Operation Northern Star, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) seized assets worth RM3.17 billion in April 2025, including 638 bank accounts and shares worth RM1.16 billion, 35 properties worth RM2 billion, as well as 10 luxury cars and 12 luxury watches.
By January 2026, the total arrests rose to 23 individuals with seized assets totaling RM6.65 billion, including holders of Tan Sri and Datuk Seri titles. The scheme is estimated to have defrauded between 2 to 11 million victims worldwide, primarily in China, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Genneva Malaysia Sdn Bhd operated as a gold investment company offering monthly "hibah" (gift) returns of 2-5%. In October 2012, authorities raided the company and found it was operating as a Ponzi scheme - using new investors' money to pay "hibah" to existing investors. Losses were estimated to exceed RM443 million.
JJ Poor to Rich (JJPTR), founded by Johnson Lee, promised returns of 20% per month through forex trading. In April 2017, investors began finding it impossible to withdraw their money after Lee claimed to have lost USD400 million due to a "trading error". Authorities estimated investor losses exceeded RM500 million.
Despite widespread information about Ponzi schemes, many people still become victims. Here are the main reasons:
When you see friends, family, or community leaders "investing" and appearing successful, your brain automatically assumes it is safe. This is called "social proof" - the human tendency to follow what others do.
The desire to get rich quick clouds rational judgment. When offered 20% monthly returns versus 3% per year at a bank, emotions override logic.
Ponzi scheme operators are skilled at creating the illusion of success. WhatsApp screenshots of returns, testimonials from "successful" investors, lavish lifestyles on social media - all of it is designed to build trust. In reality, it is all built with the victims' own money.
Many Malaysians still do not understand the basics of investing - what realistic returns look like, how markets work, and where to verify the status of investment companies. Without this knowledge, they are more vulnerable to fraud.
Before investing, check the company's status at:
If you do not understand how your money generates returns, do not invest. Legitimate investments like stocks, unit trusts, and sukuk have clear and transparent mechanisms.
As a general guide:
Anything promising much higher returns without proportional risk should raise red flags.
Take time to do your research. Discuss with financially knowledgeable family members. Get a second opinion from a licensed financial advisor.
If you suspect an investment scheme is fraudulent, file a complaint with:
From an Islamic perspective, Ponzi schemes are clearly haram (prohibited) for several reasons:
The National Fatwa Council of Malaysia and the Securities Commission consistently warn against any investment scheme that does not comply with Shariah principles.
Not necessarily, but excessively high returns (e.g., 10-30% per month) with no clear risk are a major red flag. Legitimate investments always come with risk, and high returns usually mean higher risk as well.
It depends on the case. In some cases like MBI International, authorities managed to seize assets and attempted to return them to victims. However, in many cases, victims only recover a small fraction or nothing at all. File a police report as soon as possible to increase your chances of recovery.
A legitimate MLM has real products or services being sold, is registered with the Ministry of Domestic Trade, and its primary income comes from product sales - not from recruiting new members. If the main income depends on recruiting people, it is most likely a pyramid scheme.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not Ponzi schemes - they are digital assets traded on open markets. However, there are many scams that USE the name of cryptocurrency to run Ponzi schemes. These schemes typically promise fixed returns through "crypto trading" but actually just use new investors' money to pay old investors.
You can check the Financial Consumer Alert List on the official Bank Negara Malaysia website. BNM has listed over 500 companies suspected of conducting financial fraud activities.
Ponzi schemes are difficult to detect in the early stages because victims do not file complaints - they are still receiving "returns" and believe their investment is successful. Action is usually taken when the scheme begins to collapse and complaints start coming in. That is why it is important to do your due diligence before investing.
Under the Securities Commission Act 1993 and the Penal Code, Ponzi scheme operators can be charged with fraud, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering. Penalties can reach imprisonment of up to 10-20 years and fines of millions of ringgit.
Modern Ponzi schemes often operate through mobile applications, professional-looking websites, and WhatsApp or Telegram groups. They use fake "dashboards" that show your investment "growing", but the numbers are entirely fabricated. The actual money is used to pay other investors or is siphoned off by the operator.
A Ponzi scheme is a financial fraud that uses new investors' money to pay old investors. It always ends in collapse, and the victims who suffer the most are usually those who joined last. The best way to protect yourself is to understand its characteristics and always verify with the authorities before making any investment.
If you are interested in starting to invest legitimately in the stock market, the first step is to open a CDS trading account that allows you to invest in Bursa Malaysia as well as international markets such as the US and Hong Kong.
Open your CDS trading account through mahersaham.com/akauncds to start investing legitimately and in a regulated manner.
Download the Free Stock Market Basics Ebook to understand the fundamentals of investing before you begin.