Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the emergence of a new fraudulent platform named "Phoenix Tide," which operates as a multi-level marketing scheme disguised as a legitimate investment opportunity, attracting users with promises of zero-cost participation and minimal effort for rewards [2][3]. Group 1: Platform Overview - "Phoenix Tide" is operated by Hainan Guohai Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., established in September 2021 with a registered capital of 10 million yuan [3]. - The platform claims to offer various services, including convenient payment, agricultural product sales, and support for small businesses, but has been flagged for operating in an abnormal state since September 22, 2023 [3][7]. Group 2: Operational Model - The platform employs a multi-tiered operational model, starting with a deceptive "zero-cost" earning scheme that requires users to complete simple tasks for minimal rewards [7]. - Users can earn "work points" through daily check-ins and other tasks, but the returns are disproportionately low compared to the time invested [7][8]. - To increase earnings, users are encouraged to purchase "task packages," which range from hundreds to tens of thousands of yuan, promising high returns through reinvestment [8]. Group 3: Recruitment and Expansion - The platform incentivizes users to recruit others, creating a pyramid-like structure where earnings are tied to the number of new participants brought in [9][10]. - Users are categorized into different levels, with higher levels offering greater rewards and requiring more significant investments, further entrenching the multi-level marketing aspect [9][10]. Group 4: Regulatory Response - Multiple regions, including Guizhou and Hunan, have issued warnings about the risks associated with "Phoenix Tide," highlighting its similarities to pyramid schemes and fraudulent fundraising activities [10][12]. - Local authorities have initiated anti-fraud campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of such platforms, emphasizing the lack of legal protections for investors [12]. Group 5: Psychological Factors - Many individuals are aware of the fraudulent nature of such schemes but choose to participate due to the allure of quick profits, social pressure, and the fear of missing out on potential gains [15][16]. - The article suggests that the majority of participants are driven by greed and unrealistic expectations, often ignoring the risks involved [17].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of a new fraudulent investment platform called "Phoenix Tide," which operates under a multi-level marketing scheme, luring users with promises of easy earnings through minimal effort and investment [3][4]. Summary by Sections Overview of "Phoenix Tide" - "Phoenix Tide" claims to offer a "zero-cost" and "zero-threshold" investment opportunity, requiring only daily check-ins to earn points and rewards [4][10]. - The platform is operated by Hainan Guohai Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., which has been flagged for operational irregularities [6][10]. Multi-Level Operation Model - The platform employs a multi-tiered operation model, starting with a deceptive "zero investment" earning scheme that requires users to complete simple tasks for minimal rewards [10][11]. - Users can progress through six task levels, with higher levels requiring investment in "task packages" that promise inflated returns [11][12]. - The platform creates a false sense of value for points through limited-time offers and price increases, encouraging users to reinvest [12][13]. Recruitment and Dynamic Earnings - "Phoenix Tide" incorporates a recruitment mechanism, incentivizing users to bring in new participants to increase their earnings, resembling a pyramid scheme [13][14]. - Users can achieve different "agent" levels based on their recruitment success, which unlocks additional benefits and earnings [14][15]. Spread and Public Response - The platform has gained traction primarily through personal networks, with many users recruiting family and friends [16][17]. - Multiple local governments and agencies have issued warnings about the risks associated with "Phoenix Tide," highlighting its similarities to traditional Ponzi schemes [19][24]. Psychological Factors and User Behavior - Many participants are aware of the risks but choose to engage due to greed, social pressure, and the fear of missing out on potential profits [24][25]. - The article concludes that individuals often succumb to their own desires and fantasies rather than being purely victims of fraud [25].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the emergence of a new "funding platform" called "Phoenix Tide," which operates under a deceptive model promising zero-cost and zero-threshold participation, luring users into a complex multi-level investment scheme that resembles a pyramid scheme [1][10]. Group 1: Platform Overview - "Phoenix Tide" is operated by Hainan Guohai Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., which was established on September 26, 2021, with a registered capital of 10 million yuan [2][3]. - The company has been listed as operating under abnormal conditions since September 22, 2023, due to being unreachable at its registered address [2][3]. Group 2: Operational Model - The platform employs a multi-layered operational model, starting with a misleading "zero-cost earning" approach that requires users to complete simple tasks to earn points, which ultimately yield minimal returns [6][7]. - Users are encouraged to invest in "task packages" with prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of yuan, promising high returns through reinvestment, which leads to a cycle of continuous investment [7][8]. Group 3: Recruitment and Expansion - The platform promotes a pyramid-like structure where users are incentivized to recruit others, creating a dynamic reward system that relies on new investments to sustain returns for existing users [8][9]. - "Phoenix Tide" has been spreading primarily through familial networks, with users often pressuring relatives to join, despite warnings from authorities [10][12]. Group 4: Regulatory Response - Multiple regions, including Guizhou and Hunan, have issued risk alerts regarding "Phoenix Tide," with local governments and institutions actively conducting anti-fraud campaigns to educate the public about the platform's risks [10][12]. - Legal experts categorize "Phoenix Tide" as a "pyramid scheme-style fundraising fraud," emphasizing that the platform's operations lack legal safeguards for investors [12][14].

Core Viewpoint - The recent collapse of the "Xin Kang Jia" Ponzi scheme, which promised a daily interest rate of 2%, has heightened societal awareness and vigilance against new forms of online fraud [1] Regulatory Warnings - Multiple financial regulatory bodies across various provinces, including Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hunan, have issued warnings about illegal fundraising risks associated with virtual currencies since July [2][3] - Shenzhen and Guangzhou have specifically highlighted that illegal institutions are using terms like "financial innovation" and "digital assets" to mislead the public and engage in illegal fundraising activities [2] Characteristics of Online Scams - New online scams often share common traits such as exaggerated claims, false promises, and high returns, with phrases like "guaranteed profits" and "fixed high returns" frequently used [1] - These scams typically promise unrealistically high returns, such as a daily yield of 1% or 2%, leading to annualized returns exceeding 300% [1] Legal Implications - Legal experts categorize these scams as "pyramid-style fundraising fraud," which can lead to severe criminal charges, including life imprisonment for the organizers and key participants [1] - The involvement in such scams can result in criminal liability for all parties involved, including promoters and core members [1] Types of Scams - Various types of scams have emerged, including investment fraud, consumer rebate schemes, and fictitious project scams, all characterized by their deceptive nature and complexity [9][10] - Investment scams often impersonate legitimate institutions and utilize fake financial products to lure investors, while consumer rebate scams disguise themselves as community-oriented initiatives [10] Mechanisms of Fraud - Many scams employ a "referral" mechanism to encourage users to promote projects, promising tiered rewards for recruitment [11] - The structure of these scams often includes both "static" and "dynamic" returns, where static returns are fixed and dynamic returns depend on recruiting new participants [12] Risk Awareness - Regulatory bodies emphasize the importance of understanding the complexities and volatility of digital currencies and encourage the public to avoid any form of virtual currency speculation [8] - Participants in virtual currency transactions face significant legal risks, as these activities are deemed illegal under current regulations [7]