They start by attracting you through advertising in local newspapers or on social media, promising good returns and learning opportunities with a small investment in the stock market, specifically in shares of a well-known bank in the country. Then, the investment, instead of $100, becomes $200. They politely guide you through the platform, but a week later they invite you to an investment seminar to "learn more" and insist you invest $1,000. When you agree, they increase it to $2,500 to cover the purchase of at least one gram of gold. While you request a large withdrawal, they make a small one, supposedly as a test, to ensure it goes through. As soon as the small withdrawal arrives, and while you're processing the larger one, they ask you to change your account type to "protect your investment and avoid withdrawal fees," for which they request another $2,500, which I end up paying to avoid losing my investment. But the large withdrawal process doesn't move forward. When you order everything, they demand tax payments of an additional $4,000, but they don't deposit it.