Singaporeans lured by alleged pyramid scheme linked to investment opportunities in China

Amid a clampdown by Chinese authorities on pyramid schemes, CNA has learnt of at least a dozen Singaporeans who were approached by fellow Singaporeans over a so-called business and investment scheme in China's southern city of Nanning.

It is unclear how many Singaporeans have been approached or are involved in the alleged pyramid scheme in China, but many of those interviewed by CNA, most of whom requested their full identity not be revealed, said they knew others who were part of it. (Image: iStock)

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

SINGAPORE: When Michelle (not her real name) accepted an invitation earlier this year to learn about a business opportunity linked to the Chinese city of Nanning, she believed this was a chance to join what appeared to be an exclusive investment venture.

However, she has since started to have doubts about the scheme and is trying to recover more than S$75,000 (US$59,200) that was invested.

Michelle was introduced to the programme earlier this year. She was facing challenges in her job and had become curious when a long-time friend, Evelyn (also not her real name), told her she was “doing business” while travelling frequently.

Evelyn invited her to find out more and to join her on one of her trips.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less In a few weeks, Michelle was on a flight from Singapore to Nanning, capital of Guangxi in China’s south. Over five days, she attended meetings and presentations by fellow Singaporeans, before being formally invited to join what organisers described as a business opportunity linked to Nanning’s development. To participate, she bought "shares”. This allowed her to earn commissions by recruiting two others into the programme. Michelle and another member she recruited eventually transferred S$75,000 to Evelyn’s Singapore bank account. But she said she started to feel concerned when she was not offered a receipt of this transaction. Neither was she given a copy of an earlier expression of interest agreement that she had signed in Nanning. Commissions which Michelle said she was promised after recruiting another person, have also yet to materialise. Today, she is trying to recover what was invested. All attempts to get answers from Evelyn have failed, with questions either side-stepped or ignored. On Friday (Sep 4), Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 52 Singaporeans have been arrested in China for suspected involvement in an alleged pyramid scheme. CNA understands that the scheme is linked to the 1040 sunshine project – a long-running pyramid scheme which Chinese authorities have clamped down on previously. The modus operandi is similar to what was experienced by Michelle, as well as at least a dozen Singaporeans that CNA has interviewed, although not all ended up investing. It is unclear how many Singaporeans have been approached or remain involved. But many of those interviewed said they knew others who were part of the scheme. Those interviewed ranged from professionals in finance and business to retirees, and three of them have filed police reports.

In a few weeks, Michelle was on a flight from Singapore to Nanning, capital of Guangxi in China’s south.

Over five days, she attended meetings and presentations by fellow Singaporeans, before being formally invited to join what organisers described as a business opportunity linked to Nanning’s development.

To participate, she bought "shares”. This allowed her to earn commissions by recruiting two others into the programme. Michelle and another member she recruited eventually transferred S$75,000 to Evelyn’s Singapore bank account. But she said she started to feel concerned when she was not offered a receipt of this transaction. Neither was she given a copy of an earlier expression of interest agreement that she had signed in Nanning. Commissions which Michelle said she was promised after recruiting another person, have also yet to materialise. Today, she is trying to recover what was invested. All attempts to get answers from Evelyn have failed, with questions either side-stepped or ignored. On Friday (Sep 4), Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 52 Singaporeans have been arrested in China for suspected involvement in an alleged pyramid scheme. CNA understands that the scheme is linked to the 1040 sunshine project – a long-running pyramid scheme which Chinese authorities have clamped down on previously. The modus operandi is similar to what was experienced by Michelle, as well as at least a dozen Singaporeans that CNA has interviewed, although not all ended up investing. It is unclear how many Singaporeans have been approached or remain involved. But many of those interviewed said they knew others who were part of the scheme. Those interviewed ranged from professionals in finance and business to retirees, and three of them have filed police reports.

THE SINGAPORE MEETINGS

Through CNA's interviews, it appears that the recruitment process has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. Most of the experiences start with casual conversations with new contacts or mutual friends about broad investment opportunities in China or Nanning.

These usually take place at professional or networking events, and even social gatherings organised by existing members of the programme.

Interviewees told CNA that many who attended appeared successful or had interesting anecdotes about their lives.

CNA went undercover recently at one such session in central Singapore.

The two-hour gathering was attended by a group of around 10 people.

Conversations started innocuously, mostly centred on participants’ backgrounds, retirement plans and hobbies. Some were meeting each other for the first time.

When a guest brought up interest in investing in China, an individual identified to CNA as being part of the programme began talking up the potential of Guangxi, especially Nanning.

The pitch was premised on several factors including: the high involvement of Singaporeans and Singapore companies in developing the city, the local government's enthusiasm for foreign funds, Nanning's rapid growth, and vast future potential.

Such a narrative featured prominently in every interview that CNA conducted for this story.

CNA also witnessed current members exchanging contacts with guests and suggesting follow-up meetings at a “more appropriate setting”, to find out more.

A potential trip to China in the future was also floated by the organiser, although he said this would likely not happen in the next few months due to the bad weather conditions in Nanning.

Several interviewees later told CNA that it was at the smaller follow-up meetings that they were introduced to business and investment opportunities specific to Nanning, even if these pitches did not go into the details of how the scheme worked.

In January, Rob (not his real name), was asked out by his friend and a mutual acquaintance. He was between jobs at the time.

Rob said the scheme was described to him as similar to how Singapore attracts global investors, except members run it “a little bit less obviously.”

Another interviewee, Alfred (not his real name), was told that it was an exclusive, invitation-only opportunity for overseas ethnically Chinese people, and that it was linked to Nanning’s development.

“I was told Nanning was being positioned for major growth, with references to ASEAN integration, a Nanning–Singapore corridor, and the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Alfred.

Those who show interest in investing are invited on an organised trip to Nanning.

Mr Adrian Tan, 47, was among those who have gone there.

The marketing professional, who agreed to be identified so as to raise awareness about the pyramid scheme, said he was going through a difficult period in his career.

He travelled in 2018 after being told Nanning represented an opportunity similar to investing in Shenzhen before its rapid economic growth.

“I thought maybe this may be a turning point. Hence, that was also my push factor to consider going down.”

Some interviewees spoke about being put up in hotels, while others stayed at the apartments of other Singaporeans involved in the scheme.

CNA also reviewed screenshots of text messages detailing itineraries sent to prospective participants.

These included city tours, visits to local malls and supposed development centres in Nanning.

Also included were meals and meetings spread across the four- to five-day trip.

Kim (not her real name), who travelled to Nanning earlier this year, said she initially believed she was simply going on a holiday with a friend.

"All you have to do is just pay for your own airfare and everything will be settled. Accommodation, food, all will be settled," she recalled being told before the trip.

But many interviewees said much of their time was spent meeting other Singaporeans already involved in the scheme, over meals at restaurants, cafes and at private homes.

"I was so shocked to see so many Singaporeans," Kim said, recalling one presentation she attended.

For Benjamin (not his real name), who travelled to Nanning in 2019 on the premise of exploring opportunities to expand his business, that was the first sign that something was amiss.

"If you are asking me to expand my business in China, the first thing is you are supposed to introduce me to local businessmen... not other Singaporeans,” said Benjamin.

Most interviewees said their trips culminated in at least two briefing sessions conducted by fellow Singaporeans, usually in private homes or offices.

There, presenters shared personal testimonials before explaining how participants could join and earn money from the programme.

CNA heard similar explanations in hours of secretly recorded audio obtained from interviewees who attended such sessions.

In one recording from February 2025, participants were told their role was to identify and invite prospective members in Singapore.

Participants were also repeatedly told that the opportunity could transform not only their own lives, but those of the people they recruited.

According to Mr Tan, the marketing professional, organisers described the scheme as having a membership model.

Participants are told of different membership tiers, each requiring a different upfront payment.

They could join by paying either about S$30,000 or S$50,000, with each tier allowing them to recruit a different number of "downlines".

"Commission comes from the membership fee of your downline," Mr Tan told CNA. "You're just passing the money from the bottom all the way to the top." Although interviewees gave differing accounts of how organisers said the money would be used, all were told returns depended on recruiting additional participants into the scheme.

Several interviewees also said they had to open a local bank account, for commissions to be credited into.

Despite being initially impressed by what he saw in Nanning, Mr Tan said he became increasingly uncomfortable as the presentations continued.

"There was no product," he said. "It's just purely membership."

Benjamin said it was only when organisers drew diagrams explaining how the money flowed that he concluded the opportunity was fundamentally different from what he had expected.

"The moment they drew it out, you realise that it's not an investment ... You have to work for the money, to bring people in and get people to bring money in," said Benjamin.

He and his travel companion decided to leave the organised programme after the third day, booking another hotel for the remainder of the stay.

"We literally ran away in China," he added.

Kim said the organisers told the participants that they were to transfer their money entirely to “whoever recruits you”.

When she asked what would happen if the recruiter disappeared with the money, she said the organisers replied that “they will never run away, because they have more to gain than to run away".

Alfred said he was shown his contact’s China bank account, which showed deposits of 50,000 to 250,000 RMB (S$9,500 to S$47,000) every few months, as proof of returns from this investment.

During one presentation, Kim recalled organisers encouraging participants to search online for information themselves.

Organisers also claimed that legal action was taken against individuals who had criticised the scheme online.

One interviewee said he asked a member of the scheme about online articles alleging it was a pyramid scheme. The person claimed that the reports were merely rumours, and advised him not to place too much weight on them.

Several interviewees who had been to Nanning described the trip culminating in a final “commitment” session.

At a private residence, Mr Tan said he and another attendee were presented with a short agreement and were encouraged to sign up by paying a 300RMB fee.

Such an arrangement was corroborated in secret audio recordings by another interviewee.

Mr Tan and the other attendee signed the agreement and provided their passport details.

“Ultimately, we discussed, and I think since we didn't have to pay upfront, we just said yes and then got out (of the room),” recalled Mr Tan, adding that they did not follow through with payment nor put money into the scheme.

But it was a different story for Rachel, who visited Nanning in 2016.

Despite some reservations, she said she ultimately felt she could trust her host and other investors she had met.

"They are all older than me. I thought they were more savvy than me. If they recognised this as a good business opportunity, maybe I should consider," said Rachel.

She and Michelle also described being advised on how to raise the funds required to join the scheme.

“(She) taught me to pawn things from my own assets... Also, (she said) you can cash out your (insurance) policy. You can pawn your Rolex. You can sell (other things),” recalled Rachel.

“You can borrow a few S$1,000 from your family members. You can slowly return them.”

Rachel said she eventually chose to sell off her insurance policies and raised S$45,000. She then transferred S$45,000 to her host’s Singapore bank account.

REALISATION AND REGRETS

After investing, those who signed on to the scheme were offered training sessions and workshops. No photos and videos were allowed at these sessions in Singapore.

Rachel said they included lessons on rules of engagement and how to approach prospective investors, including family members whom they were told to approach first.

She eventually asked her cousin if he was interested.

“He was asking, how much is the amount you need to put in, and how much is the interest?” said Rachel. “He said it cannot be so good.”

Her cousin showed her the online news articles about such a scheme but she was initially in denial. Nevertheless, she looked into it more and realised that the details outlined in the articles were similar to what she had experienced.

She then began thinking of ways to exit the scheme.

“I would not want anybody to take over my place just because I want to get my money back. So I said no. This option is out,” said Rachel.

She told her recruiter that her family needed the funds back urgently. This, however, was initially met with refusal and frustration.

Rachel said she persisted by calling her recruiter every day for a month, before she finally relented.

Her recruiter told her the S$45,000 she had transferred over would be returned to her via the account which she had opened in Nanning.

For many weeks, Rachel would withdraw the maximum allowed each day from her Nanning account and has so far retrieved about S$20,000.

“I consider myself lucky to get (some) money back,” said Rachel. "I feel so naive.”

Others like Michelle were less fortunate and are trying in vain to recover the money they have put in.

POLICE REPORTS AND SPEAKING OUT

Despite not putting money into the programme, Mr Tan made a police report following the trip.

He was among three interviewees to do so.

He decided to recount his 2018 experience in a LinkedIn post in July, after a friend told him more Singaporeans were being invited to Nanning in recent times.

The post prompted numerous people to contact him.

"A lot of people reached out to me ... Some of them had worse experiences than me," he said.

Rachel said she has tried to warn others whom she got to know on the Nanning trip or those who may have been interested in investing.

"I called all my girlfriends ... if anyone tells you to go to Nanning, please be mindful," said Rachel.

"The experience itself is one whole big lesson."

Financial experts stressed the need for individuals to be discerning about investment opportunities.

Professor Lawrence Loh, who is Director of Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore Business School, said individuals should approach investment opportunities with caution, particularly when they are asked to commit significant sums of money.

"Whenever something comes... always try to validate the information, even through multiple channels," he said.

Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

在中国当局严厉打击传销之际，CNA获悉至少有十几名新加坡人被其他新加坡人以所谓“商业和投资计划”的名义拉拢到中国南方城市南宁。

目前尚不清楚有多少新加坡人被接触或参与了中国所谓的传销骗局，但亚洲新闻台（CNA）采访的许多人（其中大多数人要求匿名）表示，他们认识其他参与者。（图片：iStock）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：今年早些时候，米歇尔（化名）接受了一份邀请，了解与中国南宁市相关的商业机会。她当时认为这是一个加入看似独家投资项目的机会。

然而，她后来开始对该计划产生怀疑，并试图追回投资的超过 75,000 新元（59,200 美元）。

今年早些时候，米歇尔接触到了这个项目。当时她的工作遇到了一些挑战，一位名叫伊芙琳（也是化名）的老朋友告诉她，自己经常出差，同时也在“做生意”，这让她感到好奇。

伊芙琳邀请她了解更多信息，并和她一起参加一次旅行。

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小小的谜题，强大的脑力挑战 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 几周后，米歇尔从新加坡飞往中国南方广西省会南宁。在接下来的五天里，她参加了其他新加坡人的会议和演讲，之后正式受邀加入一个组织者称之为与南宁发展相关的商业机会的项目。为了参与，她购买了“股份”。这使她可以通过招募另外两人加入该项目来赚取佣金。米歇尔和她招募的另一位成员最终将75,000新元转入了伊芙琳在新加坡的银行账户。但她说，当她没有收到这笔交易的收据时，她开始感到担忧。她也没有收到之前在南宁签署的意向表达协议的副本。米歇尔称，在她招募了另一名成员后，对方承诺的佣金至今仍未兑现。如今，她正试图追回投资款。所有试图从伊芙琳那里获得答案的尝试均告失败，对方要么回避问题，要么直接无视。9月4日（周五），新加坡外交部表示，52名新加坡公民因涉嫌参与传销活动在中国被捕。据亚洲新闻台（CNA）了解，该传销与“1040阳光计划”有关——这是一个长期存在的传销项目，此前已被中国当局取缔。其运作方式与米歇尔的经历以及亚洲新闻台采访的至少十几名新加坡人的遭遇类似，尽管并非所有人都最终投资。目前尚不清楚有多少新加坡人被接触过或仍然身陷其中。但许多受访者表示，他们认识其他参与该计划的人。受访者包括金融和商业领域的专业人士以及退休人员，其中三人已向警方报案。

几周后，米歇尔从新加坡飞往中国南方广西省省会南宁。

在五天的时间里，她参加了新加坡同胞的会议和演讲，之后正式受邀加入组织者所说的与南宁发展相关的商业机会。

为了参与该项目，她购买了“股份”。这使她可以通过招募另外两人加入该项目来赚取佣金。米歇尔和她招募的另一位成员最终将7.5万新元转入了伊芙琳在新加坡的银行账户。但她说，当她没有收到这笔交易的收据时，她开始感到担忧。她也没有收到之前在南宁签署的意向书副本。米歇尔说，在她招募到另一人后，伊芙琳承诺的佣金也尚未兑现。如今，她正试图追回投资款。所有试图联系伊芙琳的尝试都失败了，她要么回避问题，要么直接无视。9月4日（星期五），新加坡外交部表示，52名新加坡人因涉嫌参与传销活动在中国被捕。据亚洲新闻台（CNA）了解，该项目与“1040阳光计划”有关——这是一个长期存在的传销项目，中国当局此前曾对其进行过打击。其作案手法与米歇尔的经历类似，也与亚洲新闻台（CNA）采访的至少十几位新加坡人的经历相似，尽管并非所有人都最终参与了投资。目前尚不清楚有多少新加坡人曾被接触或仍然身陷其中。但许多受访者表示，他们认识其他参与该计划的人。受访者包括金融和商业领域的专业人士以及退休人士，其中三人已向警方报案。

新加坡会议

根据中央社的采访，十多年来，该领域的招聘流程似乎基本没有变化。大多数人的经历都是从与新认识的人或共同朋友的闲聊开始，话题通常是关于在中国或南宁的投资机会。

这些活动通常在专业活动、人脉拓展活动，甚至是项目现有成员组织的社交聚会上举行。

受访者告诉 CNA，许多参加者看起来都很成功，或者有很多关于他们生活的有趣轶事。

CNA最近对新加坡市中心的一场此类会议进行了卧底调查。

大约有 10 人参加了这场持续两小时的聚会。

谈话起初都很随意，大多围绕参与者的背景、退休计划和爱好展开。有些人是第一次见面。

当一位嘉宾提出对在中国投资感兴趣时，一位被中央社确认为节目参与者的人士开始大谈广西，特别是南宁的潜力。

此次推介基于以下几个因素：新加坡人和新加坡公司高度参与城市发展，当地政府对外国资金的热情，南宁的快速发展以及巨大的未来潜力。

在CNA为报道此事进行的每一次采访中，这种叙述都占据了显著位置。

CNA 还看到现有成员与来宾交换联系方式，并建议在“更合适的场合”举行后续会议，以了解更多信息。

组织者还提出了未来前往中国的可能性，但他表示，由于南宁天气状况恶劣，未来几个月内不太可能成行。

后来几位受访者告诉中央社，在规模较小的后续会议上，他们了解到了南宁的商业和投资机会，尽管这些推介并没有详细介绍该计划是如何运作的。

一月份，罗布（化名）被他的朋友和一位共同认识的人约出去。当时他正处于待业状态。

罗布说，有人向他描述，该计划类似于新加坡吸引全球投资者的方式，只是成员们的运作方式“不那么明显”。

另一位受访者阿尔弗雷德（化名）被告知，这是一个仅限受邀海外华人参加的专属机会，并且与南宁的发展有关。

“我听说南宁正处于快速发展阶段，相关方面提到了东盟一体化、南宁-新加坡走廊以及‘一带一路’倡议，”阿尔弗雷德说。

对投资感兴趣的人士将被邀请参加组织好的南宁考察之旅。

47岁的陈先生（Adrian Tan）是去过那里的人之一。

这位营销专业人士同意透露自己的身份，以便提高人们对传销的认识。他说，他正经历职业生涯中的一段艰难时期。

2018 年，他听说南宁蕴藏着类似深圳经济快速增长前的投资机会，于是前往南宁考察。

“我当时觉得这或许会是一个转折点。因此，这也是我考虑降级的一个推动因素。”

一些受访者表示他们被安排住在酒店，而另一些受访者则住在参与该计划的其他新加坡人的公寓里。

CNA 还查看了发送给潜在参与者的详细行程安排的短信截图。

其中包括城市观光、参观当地商场以及南宁所谓的开发中心。

此外，行程还包括四到五天的用餐和会议。

今年早些时候前往南宁的金（化名）表示，她最初以为自己只是和朋友一起去度假。

“你只需要支付自己的机票费用，其他一切都会安排妥当。住宿、餐饮，所有的事情都会安排好，”她回忆起旅行前被告知的话。

但许多受访者表示，他们的大部分时间都花在了与已经参与该计划的其他新加坡人见面，在餐馆、咖啡馆和私人住宅用餐。

“看到这么多新加坡人，我感到非常震惊，”金回忆起她参加的一次演讲时说道。

对于本杰明（化名）来说，2019 年他前往南宁的目的是为了寻找拓展业务的机会，而这却是他意识到事情不对劲的第一个迹象。

“如果你要我在中国拓展业务，首先你应该介绍我认识当地的商人……而不是其他新加坡人，”本杰明说。

大多数受访者表示，他们的行程最终至少会举行两次由新加坡同胞主持的情况介绍会，通常是在私人住宅或办公室举行。

节目中，主持人分享了个人经历，然后解释了参与者如何加入该计划并从中赚钱。

CNA 从参加过此类会议的受访者那里秘密录制了数小时的音频，其中也听到了类似的解释。

在 2025 年 2 月的一段录音中，参与者被告知他们的任务是识别并邀请新加坡的潜在成员。

参与者还被反复告知，这个机会不仅可以改变他们自己的生活，还可以改变他们招募的人的生活。

据市场营销专家谭先生称，组织者将该计划描述为会员制模式。

参与者会被告知不同的会员等级，每个等级都需要不同的预付款。

他们可以通过支付约 30,000 新元或 50,000 新元加入，每个级别允许他们招募不同数量的“下线”。

“佣金来自你下线的会员费，”陈先生告诉亚洲新闻台（CNA）。“你只是把钱从下线一路传递到上线。”尽管受访者对组织者所说的资金用途各执一词，但所有人都被告知收益取决于招募更多参与者加入该计划。

多位受访者还表示，他们需要开设本地银行账户，以便佣金能够存入该账户。

尽管谭先生最初对在南宁所看到的景象印象深刻，但随着介绍的继续，他表示自己越来越感到不自在。

他说：“这里没有产品，只有会员制。”

本杰明说，直到组织者画出图表解释资金流动情况后，他才意识到这个机会与他预期的截然不同。

“当他们把计划画出来的时候，你就会意识到这不是投资……你必须努力赚钱，招人进来，让别人给你钱，”本杰明说。

他和旅伴在第三天决定离开原定行程，并预订了另一家酒店继续接下来的行程。

“我们当时在中国简直就是逃亡。”他补充道。

金说，组织者告诉参与者，他们必须把所有的钱都转给“任何招募你的人”。

当她问如果招聘人员带着钱跑了会怎么样时，她说组织者回答说：“他们永远不会逃跑，因为他们能获得的利益比逃跑的利益更大。”

阿尔弗雷德说，有人给他看了他联系人的中国银行账户，账户显示每隔几个月就有 5 万至 25 万人民币（9500 至 47000 新元）的存款，以此证明这项投资的回报。

金回忆说，在一次演讲中，组织者鼓励参与者自己上网搜索信息。

组织者还声称，已对在网上批评该计划的个人采取了法律行动。

一位受访者表示，他曾就网上一些指控该项目为传销的文章询问过该项目的一名成员。该成员声称这些报道只是谣言，并建议他不要过分相信。

几位曾到过南宁的受访者都描述了这次旅行最终以一次“承诺”会议告终。

谭先生说，在一处私人住宅里，他和另一名与会者被出示了一份简短的协议，并被鼓励支付 300 元人民币的费用进行签署。

另一名受访者的秘密录音证实了这种安排。

陈先生和其他与会者签署了协议并提供了护照信息。

“最后，我们进行了讨论，我想是因为我们不必预先付款，所以我们就答应了，然后离开了（房间）。”谭先生回忆道，并补充说，他们既没有付款，也没有向该计划投入资金。

但对于2016年到访南宁的瑞秋来说，情况就不同了。

尽管她有些保留意见，但她表示最终还是觉得可以信任她的房东和她遇到的其他投资者。

“他们都比我年纪大。我原以为他们比我更有经验。如果他们都认为这是一个很好的商机，也许我也应该考虑一下，”瑞秋说道。

她和米歇尔还描述了她们如何获得筹集加入该计划所需资金的建议。

“（她）教我如何典当自己的资产……（她还说）你可以兑现你的（保险）保单。你可以典当你的劳力士手表。你可以卖掉（其他东西），”瑞秋回忆道。

“你可以向家人借几千新元，然后慢慢还给他们。”

瑞秋说，她最终选择卖掉自己的保险单，筹集了4.5万新元。然后，她将这4.5万新元转入了她房东在新加坡的银行账户。

认识与遗憾

投资后，参与该计划的人员会获得培训课程和研讨会。在新加坡举行的这些课程和研讨会上，禁止拍照和录像。

瑞秋说，课程内容包括参与规则以及如何接触潜在投资者，包括被告知要首先接触的家庭成员。

她最终问了她表哥是否感兴趣。

“他问，需要投入多少资金，利息是多少？”瑞秋说。“他说不可能这么好。”

她的表妹给她看了网上关于这类骗局的新闻报道，但她起初并不相信。然而，她仔细研究后发现，报道中描述的情况与她自己的经历非常相似。

于是她开始思考如何退出这个计划。

“我不想因为想拿回我的钱就让别人接管我的店。所以我拒绝了。这个办法行不通。”瑞秋说道。

她告诉招聘人员，她的家人急需这笔钱。然而，这最初遭到了拒绝和阻挠。

瑞秋说，她坚持不懈地每天给招聘人员打电话，持续了一个月，最终才妥协。

她的招聘人员告诉她，她转过来的 45,000 新元将通过她在南宁开设的账户退还给她。

好几个星期以来，瑞秋每天都会从她的南宁账户中取出允许提取的最高金额，到目前为止已经取回了大约 20,000 新元。

“我觉得自己很幸运能拿回一些钱，”瑞秋说。“我真是太天真了。”

像米歇尔这样的人就没有那么幸运了，他们正徒劳地试图追回自己投入的资金。

警方报告和公开表态

尽管没有为该项目投入资金，但谭先生在旅行结束后还是向警方报了案。

他是三位这样做的受访者之一。

2018 年 7 月，一位朋友告诉他，最近有更多新加坡人受邀前往南宁，于是他决定在 LinkedIn 上发帖讲述自己 2018 年的经历。

这条帖子引发了许多人与他联系。

“很多人联系了我……他们中有些人的遭遇比我更糟糕，”他说。

瑞秋说，她已经试图警告她在南宁之旅中认识的其他人，或者那些可能对投资感兴趣的人。

“我给所有闺蜜都打了电话……如果有人叫你去南宁，请务必小心，”瑞秋说。

“这段经历本身就是一次意义重大的学习。”

金融专家强调，个人需要对投资机会保持敏锐的判断力。

新加坡国立大学商学院治理与可持续发展主任罗劳伦斯教授表示，个人应谨慎对待投资机会，尤其是在被要求投入大量资金时。

“无论何时收到消息……都要设法核实信息，即使是通过多个渠道，”他说。

我们的主编每周六都会分享对本周重大新闻的分析和精选。

订阅我们的邮件，即可获取精选热点新闻和引人深思的文章。

订阅通知，第一时间获取突发新闻和精彩报道。

加入我们的频道，即可在您常用的聊天应用上获取当日热门文章。