If you manage millions, you are targeted not because you are careless, but because you act quickly, wield influence, and every decision carries weight. Ignore urgency at your own risk.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tap to jump

1. TLDR
2. Why multimillionaires get scammed
3. The 10 scam patterns I see in the Philippines
4. Red flags you treat as deal-breakers
5. The 2026 protection checklist
6. If you suspect you are already involved
7. A quiet way to pressure-test a deal

TLDR

If you follow these three steps in 2026, you can avoid most high-value scams:

1. Never send funds while you are rushed.
2. Never accept “trust me” as a substitute for documents and verification.
3. Never invest in anything you cannot explain in one minute, including how you get your money back. 

WHY MULTIMILLIONAIRES GET SCAMMED

For high-net-worth individuals, scams are rarely obvious. They often look like business deals, personal relationships, or family help.

Most successful scams use one or more of these tactics:

1. Speed, you are pushed to decide before you verify. 
2. Status, it is framed as “exclusive” or “by invitation.” 
3. Shame, you are discouraged from asking questions. 
4. Complexity, the structure is confusing, so you defer to the “expert.” 
5. Proximity, it comes from a friend, church, fraternity, school network, or family circle, so it feels safe. 

A rule worth keeping in 2026

Anything that cannot survive immediate verification is not an investment. It is a fast loss. Treat urgent proof as your first defense.

THE 10 SCAM PATTERNS

I SEE IN THE PHILIPPINES

These patterns keep showing up among Filipino business owners, professionals, and families with significant assets.

1. “Private lending” dressed as a short-term placement

Typical pitch: 2% to 5% per month, “secured” by PDCs, a deed of assignment, or a collateral story that is hard to verify. 

What to do: Treat it like a bank would, with audited financials, collateral valuation, lien checks, enforceability, and concentration limits. 

2. “SEC registered” used as a blanket credibility claim

Typical pitch: a certificate, screenshot, or registration number that implies they are allowed to solicit investments. 

What to do: Separate the three questions: is the entity registered, is the specific product authorized for public offering, and is the seller properly licensed or appointed. 

3. Real estate syndications with weak documentation

Typical pitch: glossy deck, attractive projections, urgent “reservation,” unclear title, adverse claims, or a developer without financial capacity. 

What to do: No money moves until you see clean title due diligence, updated tax declarations, right-to-sell proof, permits, escrow terms, and independent legal review. 

4. The “friendly fix” inside your own company

Typical pattern: payroll fraud, supplier kickbacks, ghost deliveries, inflated invoices, and “trusted” staff borrowing for emergencies that never end. 

What to do: Maker-checker approvals, vendor accreditation, inventory reconciliation, periodic forensic spot checks. 

5. Romance or relationship scams targeting affluent individuals

Typical pattern: overseas “partner,” sudden emergencies, requests to “help move funds” or “invest together,” often over months. 

What to do: Set a rule—never send money to anyone you haven’t met in person and checked through independent references.

6. Family-and-friends pooling schemes

Typical pattern: a cousin, batchmate, or fellow church member is “raising capital,” early payouts happen, then it collapses when withdrawals exceed inflows. 

What to do: If the scheme needs new people or money to pay earlier participants, leave immediately.

7. Fake banking, courier, or “verification” calls

Typical pattern: spoofed numbers, fake delivery issues, fake fraud holds, and links that capture credentials. 

What to do: Don’t click on financial links. Instead, call the official number on your card or the bank’s website.

8. “Tax-free” or “guaranteed” investment products

Typical pitch: capital protected, guaranteed profit, risk-free, fixed monthly. 

What to do: Only trust guarantees backed by a real guarantor who can pay, and know what supports the promise.

9. Crypto “wealth managers,” signal groups, and managed accounts

Typical pitch: consistent wins, insider access, copy trading, they “manage everything.”


What to do: Keep things simple. Use reputable platforms, limit your risk, and do not give others control unless strong checks are in place.

10. Estate and property document fraud

Typical pattern: forged signatures, fake IDs, unauthorized sale, fake SPA, fake deeds, “fixers” offering shortcuts.


What to do: For any big asset transfer, check with a notary, verify identities, and get advice from an independent lawyer.

RED FLAGS YOU TREAT AS DEAL-BREAKERS

If you notice one or two of these signs, stop and check before moving forward:

1. You're pressured to decide today—"last slot."

2. They frame returns as stable and high, hiding risks.

3. You're told, "Don’t tell your accountant or lawyer yet."

4. They refuse to provide terms in writing or keep everything informal.

5. They can't explain the source of returns in one minute.

6. You're asked to send money to a personal account or a different name.

7. Documents are marketing-heavy, lacking contracts and disclosures.

8. They avoid third-party verification or get offended by your questions.

9. You're pushed to roll over profits instead of withdrawing.

10. They use status as proof: photos with politicians, celebrities, awards, "VIP circles."

11. They say, "We are regulated," but can't explain which regulator covers which activity.

12. They promise confidentiality as an excuse to skip documentation.

THE 2026 PROTECTION CHECKLIST

You do not need to be paranoid. You need a process that works when things move fast.

A. Your deal verification protocol, before any transfer

Treat this as a must-follow checklist:

1. Identify the legal entity and the beneficial owner. 
2. Validate licenses and authority relevant to the product. 
3. Require a written term sheet and a signed contract. 
4. Confirm how money moves, whose account, what bank, what reference. 
5. Require independent review, legal and tax, for anything material. 
6. Set concentration limits, even if you love the story. 
7. Use staged funding with milestones, not a one-time full release. 
8. Keep an exit test, “How do I get my money back, in writing, and under what timeline?” 

B. If you run a business

These are common ways money leaks out. The solutions are straightforward:
1. Separate relationship from approval. No single person should initiate or complete payments. 
2. Use monthly exception reports, not only annual audits. 
3. Rotate finance duties. If someone stays in the same role too long, it can become a risk.

C. If your wealth is property-heavy

1. Do regular title and tax status checks on key properties. 
2. Store original documents securely, with controlled access. 
3. Be strict with SPAs and authorizations, verify notarial details. 

D. If your family behaves like a small family office

Set up an investment committee, even if it’s informal. Make sure you keep meeting notes and require sign-off for big investments.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOU ARE ALREADY INVOLVED

Act quickly, but stay calm.

1. Stop additional transfers immediately. 
2. Preserve evidence, messages, emails, contracts, receipts, and bank details. 
3. Do not threaten or negotiate emotionally. It can trigger the destruction of evidence. 
4. Get independent legal advice on recovery options and next steps. 
5. Inform your bank promptly if credentials, OTP, or suspicious transfers are involved. 

Want a private, low-drama check? Here’s a practical approach. 

What you send me

1. The pitch deck or summary 
2. The contract or proposed terms 
3. Where the money will be sent 
4. Who introduced you, and their role 

What you get

You’ll get a clear risk memo in plain language. It will show what’s verified, what’s unclear, and what should make you walk away.

Act on these findings right away to avoid losses. Reach out and get clarity before you commit any money.

Professional note

I used to work as a Senior Fraud Specialist at a trillion-dollar bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co. This article is for educational purposes. It reflects my personal views, not those of my employer.

Compliance note

This article is for general education in the Philippine context and is not legal advice. For formal action, work with qualified counsel and relevant authorities.