A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investing scam which generates returns for earlier investors with money taken from later investors. This is similar to a pyramid scheme in that both are based on using new investors' funds to pay the earlier backers. Elements:
Fraud or illegal activity
Using money from new users to pay existing users
The promise of outsized returns
Lead by a charismatic salesperson
named after Charles Ponzi. In the 1920s, Ponzi promised investors a 50% return within a few months for what he claimed was an investment in international mail coupons. Ponzi used funds from new investors to pay fake “returns” to earlier investors. Ponzi Schemes | Investor.gov.