Core Viewpoint - Yongkun Gold, established in 2014, is facing significant payout difficulties involving over 2 billion RMB, affecting thousands of investors, raising concerns about its business model and sustainability [1] Business Model and Products - Yongkun Gold claims to cover multiple sectors including gold exploration, refining, jewelry design and sales, import-export trade, and e-commerce, utilizing both online platforms and over 30 physical stores nationwide [2] - The "Gold Custody and Repurchase" service allows investors to purchase gold without actual withdrawal, with promises of high fixed annual returns, with rates as high as 12% to 18% for investments over 3 million RMB [4] - The online platform also offers a "Pre-purchase Gold" service, claiming capital protection and profit guarantees, essentially functioning as a financial product without actual gold delivery [4] - The "Super Gold Store" and "Gold Accumulation Plan" allow investors to purchase gold from 1 gram, with a promise of price protection, but high fees apply for early redemption [4] Characteristics of the Scheme - The business model lacks sustainability as gold does not generate cash flow, relying on continuous price increases which are unrealistic given market volatility [6] - Promised annual returns far exceed normal profit margins from legitimate gold investments, indicating a reliance on new investor funds to pay returns to earlier investors, characteristic of a Ponzi scheme [6] - The absence of physical gold in investors' possession and lack of regulatory oversight facilitate potential fraud, including misappropriation of funds and fictitious inventory [6][8] Investor Vulnerability - Yongkun's false advertising created a misleading perception of trust, claiming government backing and bank custody, while actual protections were minimal [10] - Investors often lacked understanding of financial product risks, failing to question the sustainability of high returns, leading to reliance on familiar recommendations and a false sense of security [10] Preventive Measures - Investors should remain vigilant against promises of excessively high returns, prioritizing capital safety over blind pursuit of profits [13] - Conduct thorough due diligence on platforms and their compliance with regulations, rather than relying solely on marketing or physical presence [13] - Diversification of investments is crucial to mitigate risks associated with concentrating funds in a single platform or product [13] - Understanding the underlying assets, operational logic, and risk-return characteristics of products is essential to identify potential Ponzi schemes [13] Actions for Affected Investors - Affected investors should organize through social media to share information and strategies for collective action [14] - Reporting to economic crime investigation departments with evidence such as contracts and transaction records is recommended [14] - Legal avenues should be explored, including hiring lawyers to pursue claims or participate in criminal proceedings [14] - Maintaining realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of legal actions is important due to potential delays and uncertainties in recovery [14]
永坤黄金暴雷背后
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-05-30 10:52