Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a series of investment scams, particularly focusing on a fraudulent scheme involving a figure known as "教父" (the "Godfather"), who misled investors into believing they were engaging in legitimate stock trading, resulting in significant financial losses for victims [1][2][5]. Group 1: Scam Mechanisms - The scams often involve fake stock trading platforms, such as 中粤优配APP, where investors are lured with promises of high returns and personalized guidance, only to find their accounts locked and funds inaccessible [2][5][10]. - Scammers utilize social media and messaging apps to create a façade of legitimacy, often posing as experienced investors or financial advisors, and employ tactics like "one-on-one" guidance and insider information to build trust [6][9]. - The term "杀猪盘" (pig-butchering) is used to describe these scams, where victims are gradually encouraged to invest more money until the scammers "harvest" their funds [5][9]. Group 2: Victim Experiences - Victims like 刘女士 reported losing substantial amounts, with her losses exceeding 200,000 yuan, and noted that over 300 victims collectively lost more than 30 million yuan through the 中粤优配APP [2][5]. - Another victim, 董先生, was misled into believing he was receiving legitimate investment advice from a supposed representative of 国泰海通证券, leading to a loss of 30,000 yuan [7][10]. - Victims often face barriers in withdrawing their funds, with excuses provided by scammers ranging from technical issues to threats of account freezing [10][12]. Group 3: Regulatory and Preventive Measures - The article emphasizes the need for stronger regulatory oversight and technological measures to combat these fraudulent activities, as many scams continue to proliferate despite existing warnings [15][16]. - Financial institutions like 国泰海通证券 have taken steps to monitor and shut down fraudulent websites and apps, but the evolving nature of scams poses ongoing challenges [15][16]. - Experts suggest a multi-faceted approach involving investor awareness, regulatory pressure, and enhanced platform governance to effectively reduce the prevalence of such scams [16][17].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a series of investment scams involving fake stock trading platforms and fraudulent advisors, emphasizing the increasing sophistication of such scams and the significant financial losses incurred by victims [2][7][24]. Group 1: Scam Overview - The "教父" (the "Godfather") is a pseudonym used by a scammer who lured investors into a fraudulent stock trading scheme, resulting in significant financial losses for victims like Liu, who lost 200,000 yuan [2][7]. - Liu's experience reflects a broader trend, with over 300 victims reporting losses exceeding 30 million yuan across various platforms, including 中科利华 and 东兴智赢 [7][24]. - The scams typically involve long-term engagement with victims, using tactics such as high return promises and personal guidance to build trust before executing the "harvest" phase [12][24]. Group 2: Modus Operandi - Scammers often disguise themselves as "stock gods" or financial advisors, utilizing social media and messaging apps to connect with potential victims and promote high-return investment opportunities [8][12]. - The fraudulent platforms, such as 中粤优配, present themselves as legitimate trading applications but are designed to facilitate scams, with victims unable to withdraw their funds [15][18]. - Scammers employ various tactics, including fake performance reports and promises of insider information, to entice victims into investing more money [12][23]. Group 3: Regulatory and Preventive Measures - Regulatory bodies and legitimate financial institutions are increasingly monitoring and shutting down fraudulent websites and apps, with 国泰海通证券 reporting over a thousand fake sites closed in the first half of 2025 [25][26]. - Experts suggest a multi-faceted approach to combat these scams, including heightened investor awareness, stringent regulatory oversight, and improved technology to detect and prevent fraudulent activities [26][27]. - The need for social media platforms to enhance content review mechanisms and monitor for suspicious trading behaviors is emphasized to prevent the spread of scam-related information [27].