# Pyramid schemes and investment fraud in Georgia Pyramid schemes and fake investment platforms always work the same way: promised high returns are paid with new participants' money until the scheme collapses. We help victims get their money back and defend people accused of taking part. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances These schemes are usually charged as fraud (Article 180), and the money flows can also amount to money laundering (Article 194). Since 2025, a person convicted of large-scale fraud is ordered to pay the victim compensation and cannot leave Georgia until they pay. Participants face risk too: anyone who recruited others or collected money can end up accused. The key question is whether they knew the scheme was a deception. ## Signs that a scheme is a pyramid - Guaranteed or unusually high returns - Bonuses for bringing in new participants - No licence, office or transparent reporting - Withdrawals get difficult or a 'fee' is demanded - Pressure — 'time is running out', 'limited places' ## If you lost money - Don't send more money — including a 'fee' to withdraw your funds. - Keep everything: contracts, messages, the website address, transfer receipts. - Contact your bank about the transfer. - With a lawyer, file a report and request a freeze on the suspects' property. ## Our services - Representing victims and recovering money - Tracing and freezing property - Compensation in the verdict and civil claims - Defence for those accused of organising or taking part - Crypto and forex platform cases - Group cases — several victims ## Questions & answers ### I lost money in a pyramid scheme — can I get it back? The earlier you act, the better the chances: a report, a freeze on property and the compensation mechanism. In large-scale fraud the convicted person is ordered to pay compensation. ### I brought friends into the scheme — am I liable? If you didn't know the scheme was a deception, that is the core of your defence. Talk to a lawyer before giving a statement to investigators. ### The platform is abroad — what can be done? A case can be opened in Georgia if the victim or the recipient of the money is here; international cooperation is used where needed. Contacting your bank quickly matters too. ## Legal basis - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) - [Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/90034) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. ## Related topics - [#Criminal law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - [#Online & digital](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) - [#Business](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corporate-lawyer/) - - [Fraud lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/fraud-lawyer/) - - [Cybercrime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) - - [Economic crime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/economic-crime-lawyer/) - - [Money laundering defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/money-laundering-lawyer/) - - [Smuggling and customs offences](https://mmlaw.ge/en/smuggling-and-customs-lawyer/) - - [Unauthorised access to a computer system — Article 284](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/hacking-article-284/) - - [Computer crime for financial gain — Article 286¹](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/phishing-online-theft-article-286-1/) - - [Violation of private life — Article 157, 157¹](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/private-photos-article-157/) Practice areas ## Other practice areas - [Criminal defense](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) — Defense at every stage — from investigation and arrest to trial and appeal. - [Drug offences](https://mmlaw.ge/en/drug-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in cases of buying, possessing, selling and importing drugs — and against fines and administrative detention. - [Cybercrime](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) — Defense in cybercrime cases and help for victims of online fraud, hacked accounts and blackmail. - [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in theft, robbery, fraud, extortion, embezzlement and misappropriation cases. - [Economic crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/economic-crime-lawyer/) — Defence against tax evasion, money laundering, customs and other economic charges. - [Corruption and official crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corruption-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in bribery, trading in influence and abuse of official power cases. - [Violent crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/violent-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in assault, bodily injury, threats and homicide cases — including self-defence. - [Juvenile justice](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) — Specialised representation of minors, focused on their rights and future. - [Civil litigation](https://mmlaw.ge/en/civil-litigation-lawyer/) — Contract, property and damages disputes — negotiated or argued in court. - [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) — Challenging decisions of public bodies, fines, permits and licences. - [Labor disputes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/employment-lawyer/) — Unlawful dismissal, unpaid wages and employment contracts — for employees and employers. - [Corporate law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corporate-lawyer/) — Company formation, contracts, compliance and shareholder matters. - [Real estate](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) — Due diligence, purchase agreements, registration and property disputes. - [Family law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/family-lawyer/) — Divorce, custody, alimony and division of property — handled with discretion. - [Inheritance](https://mmlaw.ge/en/inheritance-lawyer/) — Accepting an inheritance, the certificate of inheritance, wills and disputes between heirs. - [Intellectual property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/intellectual-property-lawyer/) — Trademarks, copyright and protection of your creative and business assets. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/pyramid-schemes-investment-fraud/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge