In most cases, the person who calls you initially will use a false name. The company that he/she represents will not have a permit to conduct financial operations.
The company address is usually false and phone numbers they provide you are all cellular-mobile phones which they carried around the globe.
Expensively
produced confidence-inspiring brochures and website presentations help
you to believe those frauds are genuine investment opportunity. The
frauds are skillfully planned and are known within such circles as
boiler-room (call center) activities and cold calling.
The criminals follow a set plan that has been prepared over a long period usually several years.
This kind of Economic fraud is carried out by skillful "false investment advisers" and "false investment sales representatives" is a growing common phenomenon today.
Usually, the perpetrators (criminals) have international connections.
In the majority of cases, you will have first contact by phone and invited to invest in a highly profitable foreign share. You will always be told that a fast decision is required, otherwise you will miss out an "excellent investment opportunity". The most usual argument is that the caller has insider information and the transaction is completely
tax free.
The Five Flags Theory:
To avoid detection, the criminals operate under what is called The five flags theory. This is based on them working in at least five different countries.
Country 1.
Sales persons (criminal) based here make calls to prospective clients, but not to clients (victims) located in this country.
Country 2.
Clients (victims) are based here, clients (victims) are often based in several countries.
Country 3.
Products (false investment opportunities) are based here, usually in the form of shares or other financial instruments.
Country 4.
Bank based here, to which clients (victims) must send payments for their investments.
Country 5.
Perpetrators (criminals) reside in this country.