Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the collapse of Yongkun Gold, a well-established gold retail chain in China, which led to significant financial losses for investors due to its fraudulent practices [4][34]. Company Overview - Yongkun Gold operated 23 stores across Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong, attracting local investors due to its long-standing presence and physical locations [2][4]. - The company offered various gold-related services, including gold purchase, custody, and high-interest returns on investments, which lured many customers [6][9]. Business Model - Customers could buy gold but did not receive physical gold; instead, it was held in custody by Yongkun Gold, promising high annual interest rates between 6.5% and 10% [7][9]. - A contract clause required customers to pay a 5% custody fee if they did not fulfill the agreement, leading many to never see the physical gold they purchased [11][28]. - Yongkun Gold also operated an online platform, Yongkun Mall, where customers could pre-order gold and receive refunds if prices fell, further enticing investors [13][16]. Incident of Collapse - On May 20, 2025, all withdrawal services ceased, and the 23 stores closed, resulting in significant financial losses for investors, with estimates of losses reaching around 4 billion [28][30][32]. - Customers discovered that they could not retrieve their gold or cash from the online platform, leading to widespread panic and realization of the fraud [30][34]. Legal and Insurance Aspects - Victims sought compensation through insurance, but the policies only covered specific disasters like earthquakes or fires, leaving them without recourse for their losses [33][34]. - The incident has drawn attention from law enforcement and media, with investigations underway to address the fraudulent activities of Yongkun Gold [34][35].

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]