Ponzi scheme
Definition
A fraudulent investment operation in which a central operator pays returns to existing investors using capital from new investors, creating the false appearance of legitimate investment activity. Named after Charles Ponzi.
Related terms
- Affinity fraud
- A variant of Ponzi or investment fraud targeting members of a defined community (religious, ethnic, professional). The operator exploits existing trust networks...
- Clawback
- A receivership or bankruptcy action to recover payments made to investors (including fictitious profits and sometimes principal) before the scheme collapsed. Clawback...
- Net winner / net loser
- Classification of investors based on whether they withdrew more (net winner) or less (net loser) than their original principal. In Ponzi receiverships,...
- Pyramid scheme
- A recruitment-based structure in which participants earn fees or commissions primarily by recruiting new participants rather than from genuine product or service...
- Receiver / trustee
- A court-appointed officer who takes control of the scheme operator's assets after collapse, marshals remaining funds, investigates the fraud, pursues clawback claims,...
Explained in
- Ponzi and Pyramid SchemesA fraudulent investment operation in which a central operator pays returns to existing investors using capital from new investors, creating the false appearanc...