Die identifisering van risikofaktore wat dui op beleggingsbedrog

Abstract

Die studie handel oor die identifisering van risikofaktore wat dui op beleggingsbedrog. Beleggers is voortdurend op soek na beleggingsgeleenthede met die belofte van ’n hoër opbrengs en neem blindelings besluite sonder om na die risikofaktore wat op beleggingsbedrog dui, te let. Sodoende word hulle maklik slagoffers van bedrieglike beleggingsgeleenthede. Die studie voorsien eerstens ’n omvattende begripsomskrywing van die term “beleggingsbedrog” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2014; Snyman, 2012:555). Die verskillende vorme van bedrieglike beleggingsgeleenthede, sowel as die modus operandi wat in elke vorm gevolg word, word bespreek. Onlangse gevalle van bedrieglike beleggingsgeleenthede in Suid-Afrika word ondersoek, insluitend Krion (Staat v Krion, 2010), Miracle 2000 (Chelemu, 2012) en Propalux (Sakepraktyk Komitee 2014). Hierdie gevalle word onderverdeel in twee temas, naamlik agtergrond van die bedrieglike beleggingsgeleentheid en die modus operandi wat in elke geval gevolg is. Die data wat tydens die empiriese studie ingesamel is, word ontleed en opgevolg deur ’n bespreking van die resultate. Daar word verduidelik hoe die studiepopulasie saamgestel is, watter metode van dataverwerking gebruik is en hoe die vrae in die vraelys uiteengesit is. Die vraelys is deur middel van die aanlyn platform, SurveyMonkey (2012), afgeneem. In die empiriese studie is semigestruktureerde onderhoude ook gevoer waarvan die transkripsie met behulp van ATLAS.TI verwerk is. Die data wat hieruit verkry is, is deur die Statistiese Konsultasiedienste (2014) van die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) se Potchefstroomkampus verwerk. Die studie identifiseer verskeie eienskappe van die bedrieër wat ’n bedrieglike beleggingsgeleentheid bedryf; die eienskappe van die tipiese belegger wat ’n slagoffer van so ’n beleggingsgeleentheid word; en die modus operandi wat in so ’n beleggingsgeleentheid gevolg word. Die eienskappe dui op moontlike risikofaktore waarop beleggers behoort te let voordat hulle in die beleggingsgeleenthede belê. Daar is bevind dat potensiële beleggers bedag moet wees op die geïdentifiseerde risikofaktore en modi operandi, of ’n kombinasie daarvan. Indien hierdie risikofaktore en modi operandi in ’n potensiële beleggingsgeleentheid bemerk kan word, behoort beleggers eers ondersoek in te stel voordat hulle daarin belê.

The study deals with the identification of risk factors indicating investment fraud. Investors are constantly looking for different investment opportunities, with the promise of higher returns, and therefore make investment decisions blindly without regard to the risk factors that indicate investment fraud. These factors lead investors to easily fall victim to fraudulent investment opportunities. First, the study provides a conceptualisation of the term ‘investment fraud’ (Oxford Dictionaries, 2014; Snyman, 2012:555). Various forms of fraudulent investment opportunities, as well as the modus operandi followed in each type, are discussed. Recent cases of fraudulent investment opportunities in South Africa are investigated, including Krion (The State v Krion, 2010); Miracle 2000 (Chelemu, 2012); and Propalux (Business Practice Committee, 2014). These cases are subdivided into two themes, namely a background of the fraudulent investment opportunity and the modus operandi followed during the fraudulent investment opportunity. The data collected during the empirical study are analysed and discussed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the empirical study of which the transcripts were processed using ATLAS.TI. Questionnaires were administered through the online platform, SurveyMonkey (2012). The data were processed making use of the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University Potchefstroom Campus. The selection of the population is explained, as well as the method of data processing, while an exposition is given of the questions used in the questionnaire. The study identifies several characteristics of a fraudster who runs a fraudulent investment opportunity; the characteristics of a typical investor who tends to fall victim to a fraudulent investment opportunity; as well as the modus operandi followed during a fraudulent investment opportunity. The characteristics indicate possible risk factors that an investor should look out for before investing in the investment opportunity. According to the results of the study, potential investors should be aware of the risk factors and modi operandi, or a combination thereof, as identified in the study. If risk factors are present, investors should investigate the opportunity before they invest.