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Salinas Police ID More Victims in Scooter Ponzi Scam; Losses Now Over $350K
KSBW ^ | Aug 20, 2025

Posted on 08/20/2025 5:11:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Salinas police say more victims have come forward involving an electric scooter company that investigators say was operating as a Ponzi scam.

Police say the fake company is called “Lightning Shared Scooter,” which lured investors with promises of high returns and bonuses for recruiting more investors.

Police now say they’ve identified more than 60 victims, with losses totaling $370,000.

If you have any information regarding “Lightning Shared Scooter,” Salinas police would like to hear from you.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Local News
KEYWORDS: california; ponzischeme; salinas; scooters

1 posted on 08/20/2025 5:11:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

“bonuses for recruiting more investors”

If only there was some indication it was a scam.


2 posted on 08/20/2025 5:15:22 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Like Amway.


3 posted on 08/20/2025 5:16:15 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: nickcarraway

About 15-20 years go the AARP magazine had an article on why the Social Security system is NOT A PONZI SCHEME.
After all their spew it was because Ponzi schemes collapse. Social Security has not collapsed therefore it is not a Ponzi Scheme.
In that same issue was an article by Jane Bryant Quinn on how the Social Security System is set up. Without saying the word “Ponzi” it was set up the same way with forced membership at the bottom.


4 posted on 08/20/2025 5:22:06 PM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar ( )
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To: nickcarraway
Just drive around a town that has these deployed, see them all over the sidewalks and in creeks and storm drains and you'll know that there's no way money is being made from them.


5 posted on 08/20/2025 6:05:51 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: nickcarraway

BKMK


6 posted on 08/20/2025 7:33:22 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: SkyDancer

“Like Amway”, only with non-existent electric scooters ...


7 posted on 08/20/2025 9:03:08 PM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: mikey_hates_everything

Ride across town on a bus? Two dollars. On a scooter? $20.00, and they only go 20 mph, so you have to take side streets.


8 posted on 08/20/2025 10:11:35 PM PDT by Greg123456
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To: nickcarraway

If this operated out of Salinas it’s likely to be the Mexican cartels


9 posted on 08/20/2025 11:21:41 PM PDT by Mozzafiato
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