Watch this, get rich, lose it all - 8 ways to spot and avoid investment scams on Meta

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• A global investment scam network is spreading via paid Meta ads.
• Fake media reports that play on financial hardship are used as a lure.
• Here's what to look for to avoid losing your cash in a scam.

Everyone loves a bit of outrage, especially on live TV. Combine this with economic pressure, a cost-of-living crisis, and a convincing video or article using trusted media and news brands, and you have a recipe for a successful investment scam. 

A global network, believed to be the work of Russian-speaking cybercriminals, is targeting at least 25 countries to relieve you of your savings. Even worse: It's using the names of trusted outlets and individuals while spreading its scam content through paid channels to make it appear trustworthy and legitimate ...