Scams
Reporting a Pump and Dump: Evidence to Save and Who to Tell
How to report a pump and dump stock scheme: the red flags, the evidence to save, and where to file in the US (SEC, FINRA, FTC, IC3), UK (FCA) and India (SEBI).
Scams & accountability, explained
See how the scheme works before it works on you
Plain-language explainers on scams, fraud and corruption — how the schemes run, the red flags to watch for, and where to report them in the US and the UK. Written from public sources by the Correption Editorial Desk.
Four red flags we see again and again
Each one links to the explainer that shows how the scheme works.
- Red flag 01
You must pay a fee or "tax" to withdraw
A trading app shows big gains, then blocks your money until you pay more.
How pig butchering works → - Red flag 02
A familiar voice wants money, fast and secret
Cloned voices and faces push urgency. Hang up and call back on a number you know.
Spot a deepfake scam → - Red flag 03
Steady returns that depend on new money
Guaranteed profits or pay-to-recruit plans collapse when new money dries up.
Ponzi vs pyramid → - Red flag 04
You are not sure who to tell
FTC, FBI IC3, Report Fraud, 7726 and the FCA: what each one handles.
Where to report →
Latest explainers
All 24 explainers →
Topic desk
Grouped index →- Scams 4 explainers
- Whistleblowing 2 explainers
- Politics 2 explainers
- Fraud 1 explainer
- Auditing 2 explainers
- Procurement 1 explainer
- Ethics 1 explainer
- Regulation 1 explainer
- Taxation 1 explainer
- Environment 1 explainer
- Research 1 explainer
- Media 1 explainer
- Defense 1 explainer
- Climate 1 explainer
- Publishing 1 explainer
- Social Media 1 explainer
- Food 1 explainer
- Cryptocurrency 1 explainer
More from the archive
Politics
Are Political Donations Tax Deductible? US, India and UK Rules
Political donations are not tax deductible in the US or UK, but India allows a deduction for non-cash gifts to registered parties. What counts, what doesn't, and why.
Fraud
Ponzi Scheme vs Pyramid Scheme: The Real Difference and How to Spot Each
Ponzi vs pyramid scheme explained: who recruits, where the money goes, why both collapse, what US, UK and Indian law say, and the red flags to check before paying in.
Auditing
What Is Auditor Independence? Rules, Threats and Safeguards
Auditor independence explained: the SEC's reasonable-investor test, the five IESBA threats, what SOX, EU and Indian law ban, and how to check a company's auditor yourself.
Whistleblowing
Whistle-blower Protection: Reality Check
Most whistle-blower protection laws sound impressive on paper. The reality for those who speak up is often quite different.
Procurement
Government Contracts: The Transparency Illusion
Public procurement processes promise open competition and value for taxpayers. Behind the scenes, the reality is often quite different.
Ethics
Corporate Ethics Training: Expensive Theater
Billions are spent annually on ethics programs. Research suggests they may actually make unethical behavior more likely.
Politics
Political Donations: Hidden Influence Networks
Campaign finance laws promise transparency about political funding. Complex networks of donors, PACs, and shell organizations tell a different story.
Auditing
Audit Firms: The Independence Myth
Public companies pay audit firms to verify their financial statements. This arrangement creates conflicts that undermine the entire auditing process.
Regulation
Regulatory Capture in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Drug regulators are supposed to protect public health. Instead, they often serve the interests of the companies they regulate.
Who writes here
About Correption
Correption is an independent commentary and explainer blog run by the Correption Editorial Desk. We are not an investigative newsroom: we do not run investigations, publish new allegations or name private individuals. Our articles summarise publicly reported cases, laws and research and explain what they mean. Where we refer to real cases, they come from the public record.