A state securities regulator, presumably tired of watching people hand over their life savings to strangers on the internet, issued 12 investor warnings-because apparently, “don’t be gullible” wasn’t specific enough.
🎄Tis the Season to Get Scammed🎄
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI)’s Securities Division, in a move that ruined everyone’s holiday spirit, unveiled “the 12 top investor threats” on Dec. 16. Because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a reminder that strangers want your money.
The regulator, sounding like a disappointed parent, stated:
The data reveals that while scammers are using fancy new toys like AI to dress up their schemes, they’re still just con artists in digital drag. Their goal? Same as always: separating you from your cash faster than a Black Friday sale.
The guidance, compiled with the North American Securities Administrators Association, is basically a greatest hits album of financial disasters-thousands of investigations, millions lost, and zero lessons learned.
The Naughty List (of Scams)
- Affinity scams (“pig butchering”) – Because nothing says “true love” like draining someone’s bank account via a fake crypto platform.
- Deepfake impersonations – AI-generated voices of trusted figures, because trusting a pixelated Elon Musk is totally rational.
- Phantom AI trading bots – Guaranteed returns from a system that doesn’t exist? Sign me up! (Please don’t.)
- Crypto fraud – Unregistered offerings with vague promises of profit, because “trust me, bro” is solid financial advice.
- Fake AI equity pitches – Shares in fictitious companies, because who needs reality when you’ve got imagination?
- Social media lures – Facebook and X, where dreams (and bank accounts) go to die.
- Short-form video hype – TikTok and Instagram Reels, turning “get rich quick” into “get poor faster.”
- Text and WhatsApp traps – Unsolicited messages that start with “Hey, friend!” and end with “Oops, your money’s gone.”
- Scams targeting older investors – Because Grandpa shouldn’t YOLO his retirement into Dogecoin.
- Account takeovers – Hackers stealing your identity faster than you can say “Wait, that wasn’t me!”
- Website/app spoofing – Fake financial sites that look legit, because phishing is so 2004.
- Unregistered solicitors – Professional-looking pitches from people who couldn’t pass a background check.
TDCI Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Bowling, probably sipping tea while shaking her head, commented:
Fraudsters are pitching new investments that have nothing to do with tech and everything to do with your crippling fear of missing out. Congrats, you played yourself.
FAQ 🤔
- What’s hot in scams this holiday season?
AI-powered grifts and crypto cons-because nothing spreads cheer like financial ruin. - How are scammers using AI?
Deepfake videos, voices, and imaginary trading bots-because lying manually is so last century. - Where do these scams live?
Social media, TikTok, your DMs-basically everywhere you waste time already. - How do I avoid unregistered solicitors?
Verify registrations independently. Or just assume everyone’s lying. (It’s faster.)
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2025-12-18 08:00