What investment scams or bad investment decisions taught you the hardest lesson?

With the rise of online trading platforms, crypto projects, fake financial advisors, pump-and-dump schemes, and misleading investment opportunities, scams are becoming more sophisticated. I’m curious to hear from experienced investors:

• Have you ever encountered an investment scam or suspicious opportunity?

• How did it unfold?

• What red flags did you miss at the time?

• Did you recover any losses?

• What lesson changed how you invest today?

Sharing real experiences might help others avoid costly mistakes.