Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rise of investment scams disguised as stock recommendations, where fraudsters pose as "stock gods" or brokerage personnel to lure investors with promises of high returns, ultimately leading to significant financial losses for victims [1][7][20]. Group 1: Scam Mechanisms - Fraudsters utilize social media and e-commerce platforms to connect with investors, offering enticing stock recommendations as bait to gain trust [1][8]. - The scams often involve moving investors from legitimate platforms to obscure chat and trading software, making detection more difficult [10][11]. - Common tactics include claims of high returns, personalized guidance, and the use of fake identities and credentials to appear legitimate [20][29]. Group 2: Case Studies - Investor Liu reported a loss of 200,000 yuan after following a scammer known as "the Godfather" for nine months, who ultimately admitted to the fraud [3][4]. - Over 300 victims have been identified in Liu's case, with total losses exceeding 30 million yuan [5]. - Another victim, Mr. Dong, was misled by a scammer posing as a securities consultant, resulting in a loss of 30,000 yuan [17][34]. Group 3: Regulatory and Preventive Measures - Regulatory bodies have noted the prevalence of these scams and are working to shut down fraudulent websites and apps [39][41]. - Financial institutions are advised to enhance monitoring and reporting mechanisms to protect investors from such scams [40][42]. - Experts suggest a multi-faceted approach involving investor awareness, stringent regulations, and technological solutions to combat these evolving scams [42].