EP 21: The Mirage in the Desert – UAE Start-Up Scam Culture Part 2

When Startup Hype Hides a Scam: Start Up Scams

In Part One of this special two-part series, Behind the Scams explored how a new breed of Ponzi schemes has taken root in the United Arab Emirates, cloaked in the language, branding, and bravado of modern tech startups. We broke down the anatomy of these scams, explained why the UAE is a fertile breeding ground, and exposed how scam operators weaponize startup culture itself — buzzwords, stealth modes, and investor FOMO — to lure in their victims. It’s called start up scams…don’t fall for it!

Part Two: Real Victims, Real Cases, and the Human Fallout

In Part Two, we go beyond theory and into the real-world devastation these schemes leave behind. Host Nick and co-host Sue share disturbing case studies, including:

• Phoenix Capital Ventures, a $85 million real estate scam led by a Lamborghini-driving fraudster with fake royal connections.
• TechVision Innovations, which faked an AI crypto trading platform and used fake dashboards to con $40 million from investors.
• Oasis Family Investments, a devastating affinity fraud that preyed on Filipino workers in the UAE with promises of generational wealth.

A Global Financial Crime Network

This episode also unpacks how and why U.S. authorities — including the SEC and FBI — get involved in schemes based thousands of miles away. With U.S. citizens among the victims and American financial systems often being used to route funds, these scams become an international legal battleground. Nick explains how jurisdiction is claimed and what real cooperation between U.S. and UAE law enforcement looks like.

Start Up Scams: The Emotional and Financial Toll on Victims

From retirees forced back into low-wage work to young professionals left drowning in debt, we hear powerful victim stories that reveal the psychological toll of financial fraud. The shame, the silence, the destroyed relationships — these are scars that last far longer than a wiped-out savings account.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe from a Start Up Scam

We close the episode with practical advice for spotting the red flags of fraud — from unrealistic returns and high-pressure sales tactics to vague tech claims and offshore payment structures. Whether you’re investing $1,000 or $100,000, these tips could save your future.

Looking Ahead

The final takeaway? These scams don’t just damage individuals — they erode trust in emerging markets and punish legitimate entrepreneurs. With improved regulations, public awareness, and global enforcement, there’s hope. But until then, investor vigilance remains the first line of defense.

Next week on Behind the Scams, we head into even murkier waters with a brand-new episode about crypto romance scams — where dating apps and digital currencies collide in a storm of emotional and financial manipulation. You won’t want to miss it.

Helpful Links

If you need to report a scam, please visit our “Report A Scam” website page.  On this page, you will find the various agencies you can report scams to with website links.  It is recommended that you also report scams or attempted scams to your local police department.  To identify your state or local reporting agency, visit this excellent Wikipedia guide to determine who and where you should...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - The Ponzis in the Desert: UAE Startup Scam
• (00:00:54) - Are Scammers Targeting Retired People?
• (00:07:58) - Are Investment Scammers Scamming People?
• (00:09:51) - What Kind of Due Diligence Should Investors Do Before Investing
• (00:12:23) - Red flags in Tech Investment Scams
• (00:13:57) - Are there any resources investors can use to spot scams?
• (00:16:18) - Will Technology Help Regulators Catch Scammers?
• (00:22:05) - Scammer's Guide to Startup Funding
• (00:23:55) - These Scams Are Affecting Startup Communities Around the World
• (00:28:05) - Emerging Markets' Scammering
• (00:30:31) - Five Things We Learned From The Ponzi Scams
• (00:31:23) - Are You Vulnerable to Investment Scams?
• (00:33:39) - Behind The Scam
• (00:35:27) - Behind the Scams: The Real Scams