12-14% return with no stock market risk...what's the catch?

[rcooled]

I've been hearing radio spots recently about an investment opportunity that promises a 12-14% return and which is not affected by stock market volatilities, interest rate fluctuations or traditional economic factors. They claim to be investing in an industry that will grow from $20B to $150B in the next five years and that the investment qualifies for IRAs and 401(k) rollovers. I also just received an invitation to a free dinner seminar with the same pitch. Anybody know what the deal is here and what this undisclosed industry might be? Is this another Ponzi scheme or one of those "exclusive opportunities" where they won't even talk to you if you don't have at least $1M to invest?

[jpachard]

I thought Mr. Madoff was in prison. IMO that has scam written all over it....

[scoe911]

No...

[Scuba Steve]

They're selling gererators.

[krystar]

if free dinner is offered, what's to lose? heheh

i'd like to invest in cash4gold. they're making boatloads of money with 60-70% store margins

[sammyg2]

If it sounds too good to be true, it's bait for greedy fools.

If they had something that good they'd be using it to get stinking rich, not trying to SHARE it with others.

Think about it, no risk 12 - 14% ROCE? Why not borrow a whole bunch of money at 5% interest, invest it, and keep the difference?
If it's as good as it sounds they would not have a problem raising capital by conventional means without having to stoop to infomercials.

The only exception to that would be if it's a solar energy deal with the gubmint funding it with our tax dollars but that's a whole different type of scam, one that will go away after the 2012 elections.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

If it sounds too good to be true, it's bait for greedy fools.

If they had something that good they'd be using it to get stinking rich, not trying to SHARE it with others.

Think about it, no risk 12 - 14% ROCE? Why not borrow a whole bunch of money at 5% interest, invest it, and keep the difference?
If it's as good as it sounds they would not have a problem raising capital by conventional means without having to stoop to infomercials.

This is EXACTLY right.

[widebody911]

If they had something that good they'd be using it to get stinking rich, not trying to SHARE it with others.

Yup. If it was such a great opportunity, the last thing they would want would be a bunch of rubes getting in and and f*cking the goose that's laying their golden eggs. I've been tempted to go to one of these seminars just to stand up during the Q&A and ask this very question.

[krystar]

someone find the article written a couple of years ago on 10steps to make 10 million dollars guaranteed. involved creating a bank with bunch of your deadbeat friends and getting government to fund it.

n/m found it. easiest 10billion heh

http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-how-to-make-the-worlds-easiest-10-billion-2009-12

[daepp]

Originally Posted by krystar

someone find the article written a couple of years ago on 10steps to make 10 million dollars guaranteed. involved creating a bank with bunch of your deadbeat friends and getting government to fund it.

They probably did pretty well

Maybe even a government bailout to boot!

[daepp]

A bit OT/ but what about these Buckets of Money Retirement seminars - anyone ever seen Ray Lucia?