Entenda o que são Hyips

The largest documented HYIP scam was OSGold, founded as an e-gold imitation in 2001 by David Reed. OSGold folded in 2002. According to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in early 2005, the operators of OSGold may have made off with USD $250 million.^[6] CNet reported that "at the height of its popularity, the OSGold currency boasted more than 60,000 accounts created by people drawn to promises of "high yield" investments that would provide guaranteed monthly returns of 30 percent to 45 percent."^[6]

The second largest documented HYIP was PIPS (People in Profit System or Pure Investors).^[7][8] The investment scheme was started by Bryan Marsden in early 2004 and spanned more than 20 countries. PIPS was investigated by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2005 which resulted in Marsden and his wife being charged in a Malaysian court with 97 counts of money laundering more than 77 million RM, equivalent to $20 million.^[9] Even after these charges were brought forth, many of Marsden's followers and investors continued to support him and believe they would see their money in the future.

Another large case took place in Thailand. Colonyinvest cheated 50'000 Thai investors out of about 5 billion Baht (~ 150 million US$) ^[10].

Some Ponzi schemes promise yields that appear realistic and as such are not considered "high-yield investment programs." Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme offered yields of only 5% per year, for example.^[11][12]

Other HYIPs that have been shut down due to legal action include:

• Geniusfunds inc. (Cyprus)
• Ginsystem Inc. (Singapore) - Commercial Affairs Department of Singapore retrieved 2007-07-01
• Solidinvestment (United States)
• City Limouzine (India) Pvt Ltd started by Sayed Mohammed Masood and Chand Syed Masood. (India and United States) 

Direto da Wikipedia.

Analisando estes sistemas, onde todos eram fraudes a primeira coisa a pensar é: Então estes novos também são? 

A resposta é talvez sim, pois somente os primeiros ganham, por exemplo estas empresas existem enquanto tem gente entrando e fazendo a aplicação inicial, conforme mais gente entra mais tempo a empresa permanece. No momento que ela começar a perder clientes o sistema termina com mensagens como a da Global pay daily, postada em outro tópico.

É um negócio onde você pode aos poucos aumentar seu capital, mas também pode perder tudo rapidamente, por isso não invista o que você não pode perder.