According to the Nevada Secretary of State, these signs include: Promising guaranteed returns. Nothing is ever guaranteed — especially when investing in someone you don’t know. Borrowers guarantee returns to create a false sense of safety. Claims the business is “prime-quality.” Start-ups may assure you that their business is highly competitive and sure to earn lots of cash, but they should back this claim with evidence. Without it, the request is probably a scam. Unknown borrower. Unsolicited requests for investments are usually fraudulent.