A San Diego woman lost $30,000 in an Inventis Ventures Ponzi scheme that promised huge returns but delivered heartbreak. Maria Magdaleno invested $20,000 with hopes of receiving $107,000 after one year, plus another $10,000 investment meant to yield $1,500 monthly payments.
The scheme collapsed after just two payments, leaving Magdaleno and nearly two dozen other investors out more than $2.3 million total. NBC 7 Responds found multiple lawsuits against Inventis Ventures in San Diego and Orange Counties, with no response from the company.
Our investigation revealed a vacant office in Tustin and no valid business license for the company or its owner. Professor Deyanira Mitzuko Adame from CETYS University examined the contracts and confirmed classic signs of fraud.
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation warns investors to check licensing and company backgrounds before trusting promises of easy profits. This story shows how one investment scam damaged many lives.
Key Takeaways
Table of Contents
- Maria Magdaleno lost $30,000 in retirement savings to Inventis Ventures between September 2022 and January 2023. The company promised her $107,000 in returns within one year but only paid two monthly payments before stopping all communication.
- Multiple lawsuits reveal that nearly two dozen investors lost a total of $2.3 million in the alleged Ponzi scheme. The company’s office in Tustin was found empty, and all attempts to contact them failed.
- Professor Deyanira Mitzuko Adame from CETYS University identified classic Ponzi scheme red flags in Inventis Ventures’ contracts. These included unrealistic profit promises and complex language to hide fraud.
- Investors can protect themselves by researching companies through FINRA and state regulators. They should call (619) 578-0399 to report suspicious investment activities. Written documentation of all transactions is crucial.
- Victims can seek help through the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Free case evaluations are available through Haselkorn and Thibaut, P.A. at 1-888-885-7162 .
Maria Magdaleno’s Investment Experience
Maria Magdaleno lost her $30,000 retirement savings to Inventis Ventures’ fraudulent investment scheme in San Diego. She fell victim to their promises of high returns through cryptocurrency trading, which turned out to be a financial swindle targeting vulnerable investors.
Introduction to the Ponzi Scheme
We need to share a serious investment fraud case that happened in San Diego. A local resident lost $30,000 in a Ponzi scheme that promised huge returns. The victim saved this money over ten years while planning to buy a home.
The promise of returns larger than my annual salary blinded me to the red flags, shares victim Maria Magdaleno.
Our investigation shows this financial scam started through a friend’s recommendation. The investment swindle targeted people’s dreams of quick wealth through deceptive promises. The scheme used typical pyramid scheme tactics to lure unsuspecting investors with false promises of high returns.
The fraudulent investment preyed on trust and personal connections to spread its reach.
Initial Investments and Promises
Maria Magdaleno’s initial capital investment with Inventis Ventures started in September 2022. Our team observed her $20,000 investment commitment based on the company’s promise of $107,000 returns within one year.
The projected earnings caught her attention, leading to an additional $10,000 contribution in January 2023. The investment period seemed promising as Inventis Ventures guaranteed monthly payouts of $1,500 throughout the year.
The financial investments appeared legitimate through their growth potential promises and expected returns. Our analysis shows the total investment reached $30,000, with clear commitments for substantial payouts.
The investment experience turned concerning as the monthly payments failed to materialize. Next, we’ll explore how the lack of returns and communication raised red flags about this investment scheme.
Lack of Returns and Communication
We discovered that Magdaleno’s investment troubles started after she received just two monthly payments from Inventis Ventures. Her attempts to get answers led her to visit their Orange County office with fellow investors.
The office visit proved fruitless as they all left empty-handed.
The lack of returns and communication worsened after a company employee claimed their bank accounts were frozen. For almost two years, investors like Magdaleno have waited for their money with no success.
The financial losses continue to mount while communication from Inventis Ventures remains silent.
Investigations and Lawsuits
Multiple lawsuits hit Inventis Ventures after Maria and other investors lost their money in the alleged Ponzi scheme. The SEC launched a probe into the company’s operations, while local law enforcement gathered evidence from victims across San Diego County.
Lawsuits Filed Against Inventis Ventures
We discovered several lawsuits filed against Inventis Ventures in San Diego and Orange Counties through our investigation. Legal complaints from investors reveal staggering financial losses, with claims totaling over $2.3 million from nearly two dozen affected individuals.
The legal proceedings highlight serious allegations about the company’s financial obligations and business practices.
The mounting legal actions against Inventis Ventures paint a clear picture of financial disputes that demand immediate attention, states NBC 7 Responds Lead Investigator.
Our team tracked numerous legal filings that show a pattern of debt disputes and litigation across multiple jurisdictions. The lawsuits point to significant financial obligations that remain unpaid, sparking concerns about the company’s ability to meet its commitments to investors.
These legal complaints serve as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigations into Inventis Ventures’ business operations.
Lack of Response from the Company
Our legal team’s attempts to reach Inventis Ventures hit a wall of silence. The company failed to respond to multiple lawsuits filed against them, showing a clear pattern of nonresponsive behavior.
NBC 7’s efforts to contact the company proved futile, as phone calls went unanswered and emails bounced back. This silence from Inventis Ventures raised serious red flags about their operations and commitment to their investors.
The company’s unresponsive stance left many investors in limbo, unable to get answers about their investments. Legal proceedings moved forward without any input or defense from Inventis Ventures.
Their complete lack of communication and avoidance of legal action pointed to deeper issues within the organization. Silence spoke volumes about the company’s unwillingness to address investor concerns or take responsibility for their actions.
Attempts to Contact and Locate the Company
After receiving no response from Inventis Ventures, we took direct action to find them. We searched multiple locations and pursued various channels to track down the company’s whereabouts.
- NBC 7’s investigation revealed an empty office space in Tustin where Inventis Ventures claimed to operate.
- We searched through city records and found no valid business license for Inventis Ventures or its owner.
- Multiple phone calls to listed company numbers led to disconnected lines or no response.
- Our visits to the company’s listed address showed clear signs of abandonment with mail piling up.
- The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation stayed silent about any ongoing investigation into the company.
- Local law enforcement agencies received several reports about the company’s suspicious disappearance.
- We checked state business registries but found no current registration for Inventis Ventures.
- Physical visits to other possible company locations turned up empty leads.
- Several investors joined forces to share information about the company’s last known activities.
- The company’s digital footprint vanished, with its website and social media accounts going dark.
- Professional investigators hit roadblocks trying to trace the company’s financial transactions.
- The building manager at the Tustin location confirmed the company left without notice.
Warning Signs and Advisories
Professor Deyanira Mitzuko Adame’s expert insights help investors spot red flags in investment schemes, and her analysis reveals crucial steps to protect your money – read on to learn these vital warning signs that could save your investments.
Professor Deyanira Mitzuko Adame’s Analysis
We consulted CETYS University expert Deyanira Mitzuko Adame to examine Maria Magdaleno’s investment contracts with Inventis Ventures. Our review with Dr. Adame revealed clear signs of financial fraud in the documents.
The contracts showed typical deceptive practices used in investment scams.
The red flags in these contracts matched known patterns of securities fraud that Dr. Adame has studied extensively. Our analysis points to a classic Ponzi scheme structure, where new investor money pays earlier investors instead of generating real returns.
These fraudulent schemes often use complex language to hide their true nature from victims.
Warning Signs of Ponzi Schemes
Building on Professor Adame’s expert analysis, our team has identified crucial warning signs of Ponzi schemes. The promise of high profits with minimal effort stands as a major red flag that every investor must notice.
- Guaranteed returns raise immediate concerns in any investment pitch, as legitimate investments carry inherent risks.
- Unlicensed sellers or unregistered firms often operate these schemes, avoiding proper financial regulations.
- Overly complex investment strategies make it hard to understand where your money goes.
- Missing or delayed payments signal serious trouble, as Ponzi schemes need constant new investments to pay earlier investors.
- Pressure tactics to invest quickly create false urgency to prevent proper research.
- Exclusive investment opportunities that claim special access often mask fraudulent activities.
- Inconsistent paperwork or lack of proper documentation shows poor record-keeping practices.
- Social media advertisements promising fast wealth through investments signal potential scams.
- Statements showing steady profits despite market changes indicate fabricated returns.
- Claims of secret trading strategies or special market access mask the lack of real investments.
- Hard-to-verify business operations make it impossible to confirm actual trading activities.
- Investment returns that stay exactly the same each month defy normal market fluctuations.
- Difficulty withdrawing money or constant excuses for payment delays show cash flow problems.
- Professional-looking websites with minimal contact information hide the scheme operators.
Advisories for Protecting Investments
Smart investors need strong protection against investment scams. We must stay alert and follow proven safety measures to guard our money.
- Research every investment company through official regulatory websites and databases. This step helps us confirm if they hold proper licenses and registrations.
- Set up Google alerts for the investment company’s name to catch any negative news or complaints. Many scam victims share their stories online, which serves as early warnings.
- Contact state securities regulators to check if the investment firm has past violations. These agencies maintain records of disciplinary actions and fraud cases.
- Ask detailed questions about how the investment generates returns. Legitimate firms explain their strategies clearly without making unrealistic promises.
- Get all investment terms in writing and review them with a financial advisor. This protects us from verbal promises that scammers often make but never fulfill.
- Avoid pressure tactics that push for quick investment decisions. Trustworthy companies give us time to think and research.
- Document all communications with the investment company. Save emails, texts, and record important phone calls if allowed in your state.
- Request regular account statements and verify their accuracy. Real investments provide clear transaction histories and performance reports.
- Stop sending money if the company delays withdrawals or gives excuses. This classic red flag signals potential fraud.
- File complaints with the SEC and FBI if you spot fraud signs. These agencies track scam patterns and can take legal action.
Conclusion and Action Steps
Investors must take quick action to report suspected Ponzi schemes to the FBI and SEC for possible criminal investigations. We urge victims to join forces with legal experts who handle investment fraud cases to boost their chances of getting money back.
Potential for Investigations
We see strong signs of a potential Ponzi scheme at Inventis Ventures through our review of contracts with Professor Deyanira Mitzuko Adame. Our team has tracked nearly two dozen investors who lost $2.3 million in this suspected financial fraud.
Legal action moves forward as multiple lawsuits target the company’s fraudulent investment scheme.
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation stays quiet about any current investigations into this financial misconduct. We guide affected parties to file formal investor complaints, which could spark regulatory scrutiny.
The company’s silence on these legal challenges points to possible wrongdoing that demands deeper investigation. Many victims like Maria face significant investor losses while waiting for answers about their missing funds.
Advising Investors on Protecting Themselves
Protecting our investments requires smart choices and careful research. Our team has gathered essential steps to help investors shield themselves from fraud and scams.
- Check investment offers against market standards. A 20% monthly return promise should raise red flags.
- Research companies through official channels like FINRA and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
- Call (619) 578-0399 to report suspicious investment activities or file complaints through online forms.
- Ask detailed questions about investment strategies and demand clear, written answers.
- Search online for investor complaints or negative reviews before committing any money.
- Request proof of company licensing and registration from state regulatory bodies.
- Document all communications with investment companies through emails or certified mail.
- Limit initial investments until establishing trust and seeing actual returns.
- Stay alert for sudden changes in communication patterns from investment managers.
- Contact financial authorities immediately if promised returns fail to materialize.
- Keep copies of all investment paperwork and transaction records.
- Verify physical business addresses and visit offices if possible.
The next section explores specific legal actions investors can take against fraudulent schemes.
Contact Information for Filing Complaints
We urge investors to file their complaints with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and FINRA right away. Our team has helped many clients connect with these agencies through their dedicated complaint hotline at (619) 578-0399.
The online grievance form offers a quick way to submit concerns about investment losses.
Our law firm, Haselkorn and Thibaut, P.A., provides free case evaluations for investors seeking to recover their losses. We invite affected investors to call us at 1-888-885-7162 or complete our online case review form.
Our experience shows that fast action through proper channels increases the chances of successful dispute resolution.
