There are two types of people right now over here. There's the group that is laughing and others that are crying. Why? Well, because despite the many Ponzi schemes that have come and gone [and shown people pepper], it appears experience is really not the best teacher for some.
I've heard many wonder -- the ones lauging -- "How could you put 50 million naira into such a thing?" I have wondered the same myself, because it really is funny -- if not greedy -- that you just want to double your money in a matter of hours or days, and you don't have your eyes on it. But I actually understand how these people think [or thought] because I had once thought that way myself.
Obviously, I lost the money... because I wouldn't be laughing at these people now. Based on statistics [conducted in my head], these people think that they can just hop in and out before it all crashes, because they are at the very least conscious that it could eventually crash. But by some providence, they will be victors and not victims.
Or perhaps they thought that "this one is legit." News flash... it's only legit until it isn't and you're sobbing like a child that had their lollipop stolen. Again, I understand, because I once thought I could get out quickly enough, but I learned a priceless lesson when I lost hard. A lesson that actually taught me to not get into this particular Ponzi scheme that will claim the lives of some.
Yes, I actually watched a video of a lady who attempted suicide after having lost 50M naira -- about $31K -- to the scandalous scheme. But it's still funny to me anyway.
Two months ago, an Uber driver tried to talk me into getting into this "investment whatever." He spoke so highly of it, even showed me certificates and whatnot to prove that it's legit. Honestly, I was already way too tired, but I really wanted to hear his failing plan to financial freedom for my own amusement and for what would eventually happen.
After he was done talking, I asked him a question to expose to him that I knew that he really didn't care about me like he was trying to sound. "So what percentage gain will I get on referrals?" I asked. He replied. And yes, he was trying to win me over to bring me board. To prevent him from trying to convince me any further, I said to him, "Hmm... Interesting. I'll look into it. Thank you very much. I'd like to focus on my podcast now."
Fast forward to the present... I have no idea if he got out early and didn't lose his money. But I know for certain my evaluated experience plus the psychology of wealth I have now taught me better than to hand my money to some anonymous mofo to "double my money."
Numbers 4 and 5 of the Five Laws of Gold from The Richest Man in Babylon state it simply:
- ~ Gold slips away from the person who invests gold into purposes through which they are not familiar.
- ~ Gold flees the person who tries to force it into impossible earnings.
Many of the wealthiest people we see today built their fortunes by investing. They lost some, surely. But they definitely didn't just put their money in something they did not truly understand. They watch how their money moves with their own eyes and brain.
Again, experience doesn't teach you anything. Because everyone heard about these Ponzi schemes before and had experiences or heard of others'. It's evaluated experiences that you truly learn from and grow.
What do you think? Does this fit with your experience?
Images in this post belong to me