Core Insights - The article discusses the sudden closure of the cash withdrawal feature by a short video cross-border e-commerce platform named "YouliLi," leading to significant financial losses for users who had invested in the platform [2] - The platform, which claimed to be from the United States, rapidly expanded and attracted millions of users within a few months before collapsing [2] Group 1: False Promises and Operations - "YouliLi" marketed itself with enticing slogans like "watch videos to earn dollars" and "zero-cost Amazon store setup, earn millions annually," which drew over a million users by 2025 [3] - The platform's claims of using advanced technologies like "S2K2C" business model and "HERO AI system" were found to be misleading, as the so-called intelligent product selection merely scraped unsold items from Amazon [3] - The digital avatars used for live streaming were generated by free AI tools, resulting in poor user experiences, with some users commenting on the low quality of the AI-generated content [3] Group 2: Warning Signs Before Collapse - The platform promised unrealistic high returns, claiming that C-class stores could earn 10% every 14 to 15 days, resembling traditional mutual fund schemes disguised as a short video e-commerce model [4] - On September 21, 2025, "YouliLi" announced a system upgrade without prior notice, halting all withdrawal functions indefinitely [5] - The operational team became unreachable by August 14, 2025, and the company was listed as operating abnormally, indicating potential issues with management [6] Group 3: Characteristics of a Ponzi Scheme - The operational model of "YouliLi" exhibited classic Ponzi scheme traits, such as enticing users with registration bonuses while imposing complex conditions for withdrawals [9] - High-interest rates were used as bait to attract investments, with a focus on recruiting new members to generate returns for earlier investors [11][12] - Once the influx of new funds slowed, the platform would use excuses like "upgrades" to shut down operations, leading to the disappearance of the controlling parties [14] Group 4: Identifying Similar Scams - The article emphasizes the need to be cautious of platforms promising returns significantly higher than market norms, as they are likely fraudulent [20] - A reliance on recruiting new members for income rather than actual business operations is a red flag [20] - Frequent use of buzzwords like blockchain and AI for marketing purposes, along with withdrawal restrictions, are indicators of potential scams [20]

Group 1 - The platform "Youli Li" is being questioned for its legitimacy, with allegations of being a scam involving potentially over a billion in funds [2] - The promotional offer of "register and receive $10,000" is misleading, as the money is not real but a form of their own currency called TK coins, which requires recruitment or investment to convert into cash [4] - Claims of guaranteed returns, such as investing $300 to $20,000 for a 10% profit in 14 days, are deemed unrealistic and indicative of a Ponzi scheme due to lack of transparency and third-party oversight [4] Group 2 - The platform's advertising claims, including being featured on CCTV, are found to be exaggerated, with ads aired at odd hours and lacking credibility [6] - The company promotes its TK coins as a lucrative investment opportunity, but it lacks financial licenses and regulatory oversight, raising red flags about its operations [8] - The business model resembles traditional high-return investment scams, emphasizing the need for potential investors to verify company credentials and regulatory compliance before engaging [8]