What are High Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs)?

34 Views

A High Yield Investment Program (HYIP) is a type of investment scam. The name comes from the ā€˜high yieldsā€™ or enormous profits that are promised to investors, usually within a very short period of time. While they maintain a facade of being legitimate investment companies that make money by trading in commodities, stocks, foreign exchange, cryptocurrency and more, they are actually comparable to Pyramid or Ponzi schemes. This is because the only revenue stream for the company is the deposits made by ā€˜investorsā€™. Money deposited by newer investors is used to pay the older ones and, of course, the owner of the company. Such schemes are considered fraudulent and illegal.

Some HYIPs claim to be investment companies, mainly from the UK and London specifically. Their websites look professional with glossy marketing videos, high-end social media profiles, a core team of technical and financial savvy, experienced managers. Some make every effort to conceal the fact that there is no real service being provided, while other operators are quite open about it.

To create an air of legitimacy, they provide information such as the number of days they have been operating, the interest rates they promise and the number of participants. All this information has a fair chance of being complete lies or half-truths). The profits for different programs range from 1% to 300% a day, which any active investor should know is ridiculous.

HYIP operators typically use social media to appeal to victims and create the illusion of support from many consumers. On Scamadviser.com, we know a HYIP is active when we suddenly receive tens to hundreds of positive customer reviews for a new website in one or two days. These reviews are either paid for by the HYIP site or written by small investors trying to convince others to join, in order to gain referral bonuses.

In the end, there rarely is a real company behind the HYIP scheme, although their owners try to convince visitors otherwise.

How to Recognize HYIPs

Most low-end HYIPs are set-up by one individual (called Admin) and are generally easy to recognize. They:

  • Offer unsustainable high interests, often paid daily or weekly
  • Are usually guaranteed and promoted as ā€œsecure, guaranteed incomeā€
  • Require secrecy, stating they are exclusive (but are openly communicated)
  • Are vague in how they supposedly make money
  • Usually claim to invest in crypto, forex or gold
  • (Mis)Use technical terms and refer to fictitious software or financial instruments

High-end HYIPs are more elaborate and may have an entire team working on it from developers, designers, social media experts to online marketers. This makes them a bit more difficult to recognize as scams, but there are always lies that can be caught.

To determine if they are a scam, checking company registration papers is usually not enough. These papers (often from the UK) usually turn out to be legit but of very young companies using dummy addresses. Checking the background of the board on Linkedin and Google Image search usually reveals that profiles are fake and the images used are of people completely unrelated to the company.

Who Wins? Who Loses?

It is estimated that 80% of the investors in HYIPs lose their investments. While HYIPs are clearly scams, people keep investing in them as the lure of quick returns is too tempting to pass up. We often get questions asking which HYIPs are safe. When we answer that none are reliable as they are all Ponzi schemes, we get denials or remarks that they are ā€œstill paying outā€. The fact that the Admin of the website may at any time stop paying out is not considered relevant.

InvestorsProtectĀ summarizes HYIPs maybe best: ā€œHYIPs are extremely risky [ā€¦] they cannot be considered as an opportunity but a gamble game. If you donā€™t know what you are getting into, we strongly advise you to stop.”

How to Get Your Money Back From an HYIP?

That is unfortunately very often a big challenge. If you paid with a credit card or Paypal, please contact them to try to get your money back. HYIPs these days insist on receiving payments in cryptocurrencies. These are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to get back. Please visit the pageĀ How to Get Your Money Back From a Scam.

Related Articles

Read the following articles for more information about how you can stay safe from investment scams:

How to Identify Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

What Are Safe Ways To Pay Online?

I’ve Been Scammed, What Now?

70 thoughts on “What are High Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs)?”

  1. Pingback: How to Recognize a Scam - Newsjirga

  2. I definitely wanted to write a simple message in order to thank you for some of the precious ways you are giving on this site. My considerable internet look up has now been paid with reputable ideas to write about with my close friends. I would tell you that many of us website visitors are unquestionably fortunate to exist in a very good site with so many outstanding individuals with good pointers. I feel extremely grateful to have discovered your webpages and look forward to really more entertaining moments reading here. Thanks once more for a lot of things.

  3. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to find someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is something that is needed on the net, somebody with just a little originality. useful job for bringing something new to the web!

  4. Iꊦ impressed, I need to say. Really not often do I encounter a blog thatęŠÆ each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you may have hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not sufficient people are talking intelligently about. I’m very blissful that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing regarding this.

  5. This web page can be a walk-through for all the data you needed about this and didnꊰ know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youęŠ£l definitely uncover it.

  6. I was more than happy to find this internet-site.I wanted to thanks in your time for this excellent read!! I definitely having fun with every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.

  7. Can I just say what a aid to seek out someone who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know how you can bring an issue to gentle and make it important. More folks must read this and understand this facet of the story. I cant consider youre not more fashionable because you positively have the gift.

  8. I together with my buddies appeared to be checking the great secrets and techniques found on your web blog while then I had a terrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the website owner for those tips. Those young men came so warmed to study all of them and now have in actuality been taking advantage of them. Appreciation for simply being very considerate and then for considering variety of impressive information millions of individuals are really wanting to understand about. My personal sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to sooner.

  9. Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover ?taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article?however what can I say?I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get something done.

  10. There are actually lots of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to deliver up. I provide the thoughts above as normal inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you bring up the place a very powerful thing will likely be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around things like that, however I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both girls and boys really feel the impact of only a secondęŠÆ pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  11. There are actually a variety of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a nice point to deliver up. I offer the thoughts above as normal inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up where an important thing shall be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around issues like that, however I am positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both boys and girls feel the influence of only a momentęŠÆ pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  12. The subsequent time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I actually thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you may repair if you happen to werent too busy in search of attention.

  13. I’m just writing to let you be aware of of the excellent discovery my friend’s girl had visiting your blog. She came to find some things, which include how it is like to possess an excellent teaching mindset to make many people easily have an understanding of various complicated subject matter. You really surpassed people’s expected results. Many thanks for offering such practical, safe, educational and in addition fun tips about the topic to Evelyn.

  14. I discovered your blog web site on google and test a number of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for forward to reading extra from you afterward!?

  15. This website is known as a stroll-by for all the info you wished about this and didnꊰ know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and youęŠ£l undoubtedly discover it.

  16. Iꊦ impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a weblog thatęŠÆ each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have got hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the issue is one thing that not enough persons are talking intelligently about. I am very glad that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for something relating to this.

  17. There are some fascinating cut-off dates in this article however I donꊰ know if I see all of them middle to heart. There may be some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  18. After I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any method you possibly can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  19. After study a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I truly like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will be checking back soon. Pls try my web site as nicely and let me know what you think.

  20. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to find anyone with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that is wanted on the internet, somebody with slightly originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!

  21. There are some fascinating points in time in this article however I donꊰ know if I see all of them heart to heart. There’s some validity however I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as well

  22. Iꊦ impressed, I must say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog thatęŠÆ each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the issue is one thing that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I am very pleased that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing referring to this.

  23. I not to mention my pals were actually checking out the good tips and hints found on your web site and at once got a terrible feeling I never thanked the web site owner for those strategies. All of the young men happened to be as a consequence warmed to read through them and have in effect clearly been taking advantage of those things. Appreciation for truly being well kind as well as for having varieties of quality things most people are really needing to be aware of. Our honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you earlier.

  24. I discovered your blog website on google and verify a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the superb operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking ahead to studying more from you afterward!?

  25. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this website is something that is wanted on the net, someone with a little originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!

  26. There are some attention-grabbing closing dates in this article however I donꊰ know if I see all of them center to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  27. I found your weblog site on google and test just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the superb operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for forward to reading extra from you in a while!?

  28. After research just a few of the weblog posts on your web site now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site listing and might be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my site as nicely and let me know what you think.

  29. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to find any individual with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the net, somebody with somewhat originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!

  30. I found your weblog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Searching for ahead to studying more from you afterward!?

  31. Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any means you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!

  32. I as well as my guys were found to be reviewing the good things from your web blog and suddenly came up with an awful feeling I never expressed respect to the site owner for those secrets. All of the young men were absolutely joyful to read them and have clearly been enjoying them. Many thanks for being considerably helpful as well as for opting for these kinds of impressive subject areas millions of individuals are really desperate to know about. Our own honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to earlier.

  33. The following time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I do know it was my choice to learn, however I really thought youd have one thing attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you can fix should you werent too busy in search of attention.

  34. I wish to express my appreciation to you for bailing me out of such a incident. After surfing around throughout the internet and meeting tips that were not productive, I was thinking my entire life was done. Being alive without the strategies to the problems you have sorted out by way of your main guide is a critical case, as well as the kind that might have in a wrong way damaged my entire career if I had not noticed your website. Your main natural talent and kindness in playing with the whole thing was very useful. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t encountered such a solution like this. I’m able to at this time relish my future. Thank you so much for this reliable and effective help. I won’t hesitate to suggest your web site to any individual who needs care about this topic.

  35. I must express my appreciation for your generosity supporting men and women that actually need help on this subject. Your personal commitment to getting the message all around appears to be extremely valuable and have truly empowered regular people just like me to reach their targets. Your amazing helpful recommendations means a great deal to me and still more to my office colleagues. Thanks a ton; from all of us.

  36. I and my pals have been examining the best guidelines found on the blog and then suddenly I got a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to the web blog owner for those techniques. All of the people appeared to be for this reason warmed to learn all of them and have now unquestionably been using these things. Many thanks for getting quite thoughtful and for pick out this sort of amazing things millions of individuals are really needing to know about. My very own honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to sooner.

  37. I precisely had to thank you very much again. I am not sure the things I would have undertaken without these creative concepts provided by you directly on such question. It absolutely was an absolute frightening scenario for me personally, but taking note of the expert avenue you resolved the issue forced me to jump for joy. I am happy for the service and thus sincerely hope you find out what a great job you are undertaking teaching the mediocre ones by way of your webblog. Probably you’ve never come across all of us.

  38. I simply had to say thanks yet again. I do not know the things I might have followed in the absence of the actual basics shared by you directly on my area. It truly was a very distressing condition in my circumstances, however , being able to view the well-written manner you handled that made me to weep over fulfillment. Now i’m happier for your help and then hope you are aware of a great job that you’re putting in teaching the others via your webpage. I am sure you haven’t come across any of us.

  39. Thank you for all of the effort on this site. My mother takes pleasure in going through investigation and it’s simple to grasp why. Many of us notice all regarding the dynamic way you convey both useful and interesting strategies by means of this web blog and therefore boost contribution from other people on the subject plus our favorite child has been learning so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. You are conducting a terrific job.

  40. Thanks a lot for giving everyone remarkably memorable possiblity to read in detail from this website. It can be very superb and also jam-packed with a lot of fun for me and my office colleagues to search your site really 3 times in 7 days to read through the new guidance you will have. Not to mention, we are usually satisfied with the fabulous thoughts you serve. Some 1 areas on this page are easily the most effective I have had.

  41. I would like to express thanks to you for rescuing me from such a instance. Because of scouting through the online world and getting views that were not productive, I believed my life was over. Being alive without the approaches to the problems you have fixed through your guideline is a critical case, and those which could have negatively affected my entire career if I had not discovered your blog. Your good training and kindness in handling all the details was very helpful. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t discovered such a step like this. It’s possible to at this moment look forward to my future. Thanks a lot very much for this skilled and effective guide. I won’t hesitate to refer your blog to anybody who would need counselling about this subject matter.

  42. I want to show appreciation to this writer just for rescuing me from this type of issue. Because of looking out throughout the world-wide-web and finding methods which were not beneficial, I was thinking my life was well over. Being alive minus the strategies to the problems you’ve resolved by way of your main blog post is a serious case, and the ones which may have badly damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across the blog. That capability and kindness in controlling the whole thing was very useful. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a subject like this. I can also at this time relish my future. Thanks for your time so much for your expert and effective guide. I won’t think twice to refer your blog to anybody who requires counselling on this topic.

  43. I want to express my admiration for your kindness in support of individuals who require help with this important content. Your very own dedication to passing the message all around appeared to be surprisingly valuable and has really made ladies much like me to reach their objectives. Your own invaluable advice means a whole lot a person like me and further more to my colleagues. Regards; from each one of us.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top