A Marketers Minefield - Why The Fraudsters Are Targeting You.

By Emily Robinson
Posted Sunday, October 31, 2004

They want your talent, your network and most of all, they want your marketing capabilities. Fraud. It's the crime of the times, so what does that have to do with you?

The United States continues to be plagued as the investment fraud capital of the world. Savvy network marketers and MLM'ers continue to be caught in the under currents of the investment fraudsters wave. Have no doubt in your mind – these people are pros. They are charming, charismatic, intelligent and very 'likeable'.... that is until you realize what they have done to you.

Network marketers and MLM'ers are being targeted by these Pros in order to market and sell their financially appealing 'opportunities'. Investment opportunities in FOREX trades, High Yield Investments, Trading Programs, Promissory Notes and Certificates of Deposit - all "secured" and guaranteed" at no risk to the potential investor. They seek the more liberated audiences, the risk takers, those on the free enterprise path, those in search of financial independence.

They want you to get out there and spread the magic. So you do. I mean after all, they were offering huge commission checks, and you are not adverse to some free thinking and non-regulated investment - the commissions alone would set you and your family up for life. This is it, this is the one... the opportunity you have been waiting for. You knew that if you kept on working hard, the right opportunity would come your way. And here it is, at last...

It is because you are so good at what you do that you have been targeted to play in their game. They need someone who can really sell, some worker bee's to go and generate more honey for them. Everything looks in order, they have the flashy car, the money and a $5,000 suit to match. They also say they have the contacts in the financial world that everyone wants to know.

There are a multitude of ways they will drag you in, all involve substantial financial reward for you... don't be tempted. Check them out, see who they are, at the very least run a background check on them... do they come from where they say they come from? Follow up on those stories they told you, and put together the inconguencies for yourself. Keep an open mind.

And most of all be prepared for their answers. They have answers, for everything. They'll tell you that you are too suspicious, 'do you know how lucky you are to be a part of this? It's only open to a select few'. If you start to bang the drum too loudly, they'll kick you out of their set-up...You're too much trouble.

Being alert and listening to your instincts, those nagging doubts, can save you immeasurable heartache down the road. The reality is that these people will create a whirlwind, gather the money and disappear. They leave you to face the FBI, the civil suits, the angry investors who have lost their entire savings. You even got your parents to invest their 401k, and they lost it all... and you, well not only do you suffer the financial devastation of being looped by the con, your reputation is mud and the network you have cultivated over many years no longer trusts you. You end up in the marketers graveyard.

Be alert, check them out and follow up... then confront them with your findings. Most of all, listen and really "hear" the answer. You are investing in yourself, and your future... don't see what you want to see - see it as it is.

About the Author
Emily Robinson is a co-founder of The Virtual School Of Investigators - educating investigative professionals, marketers and consumers in the growing issues of fraud. Join their LIVE tele-class training "Extreme Profits?? How To Keep Your Investments Safe From Fraud" by visiting (www.thevsi.com)