👉 Ripoffs, also known as Ponzi schemes, are a type of fraud where an individual or group uses their wealth to manipulate another person's financial situation in order to gain control over that person's assets. The goal is often to take advantage of those who are vulnerable and believe they have been cheated by the original investor. Ripoffs can be used for various purposes, including personal gain, such as making money through fraudulent activities, or for political gain, such as securing government contracts or brib