A securities scam is a fraudulent scheme that involves manipulating or misrepresenting information about financial instruments, such as stocks or bonds, to deceive investors. Scammers often promise high returns with little risk, enticing individuals to invest their money in non-existent or worthless securities. These scams can take various forms, including pump and dump schemes, where the price of a stock is artificially inflated before the scammer sells their shares at a profit. Victims typically lose their investments, and the perpetrators may face legal consequences if caught. Awareness and due diligence are essential to avoid falling victim to such scams.