Database / Investment & crypto
Campaign 'investment pool' with a promised payout
Scammers tell people they can invest campaign contributions in a pool that will pay out after a candidate wins. Campaign donations are not an investment and will not grow or be paid back.
How it works
During election season, someone may contact you with a chance to put money into a 'campaign investment pool.' They promise a return after the candidate wins. They may also ask you to recruit other people so your share will be larger. The pitch uses candidate names, logos, or slogans to look political and legitimate. In reality, the money is not a lawful investment in a campaign, and you will not get a payout. The FBI included this scheme in its October 2026 warning about midterm election fraud.
Red flags
- Someone says a campaign donation will earn a return or be paid back after an election.
- You are asked to recruit others into the same pool.
- The offer uses a candidate's name or logo but is not from the official campaign.
- The pitch promises a guaranteed payout.
What to do
- Do not send money, and do not recruit others into the offer.
- Remember that campaign donations are not investments.
- You can review official committee filings on the Federal Election Commission website if you want to check a group.
- Report the scheme at ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Where to report it
- reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC's report form.
- ic3.gov — the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.