PROJECT: PONZI SCHEME - C42D
- isabels39
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
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Specialised Security Services is currently investigating numerous complaints received against the C42D Ponzi scheme.
C42D poses as a digital marketing and analytics firm, but in truth, it operates as a deposit-based Ponzi scheme, disguised as an exclusive job opportunity, where funds from new recruits are used to pay earlier participants.
MODUS OPERANDI:
Participants are assigned so-called "daily tasks", such as watching videos, movie trailers, and rating them, giving the appearance of a legitimate income-generating opportunity.
The scheme is structured around VIP levels:
The higher your VIP status, the more tasks you can complete and the more money you are promised in return.
Initial payouts are small and fast, designed to gain trust and encourage further investment.
This is a classic bait tactic.
Once participants invest in a higher VIP level, attempts to withdraw funds result in:
Frozen accounts.
Demands for additional deposits to "unlock" access.
Timed payment requirements to secure withdrawal.
Claims that users must "reach a certain balance" to withdraw, effectively coercing them to invest more.
Several associated websites, such as c42d.cc, c42d.shop, and c42d.vip, were all registered on 12 October 2024, contradicting their own narrative of being established in 2010.
Following a fake "internship" phase, users are prompted to pay a "security deposit" to access a VIP level, with promises of higher returns — all based purely on deposited funds, not actual revenue or business operations.
Early users who are paid out are funded by new participants’ money, confirming the Ponzi structure.
There is no real underlying business, no advertising revenue, or partnerships to support the income being promised.
Ownership is hidden behind WHOIS privacy protection.
There is no public leadership team, no LinkedIn presence, no media coverage, and no financial or corporate registration anywhere in South Africa or abroad.
When victims attempt to exit the scheme, they are required to make a 10% payment through the app’s "recharge" function to cancel or "process" their withdrawal.
In a statement from someone associated with C42D, users were told: “The funds will be collected by the fund regulatory agency. “
TYPICAL PONZI SCHEME CHARACTERISTICS:
Initial participants did receive payouts, but these were not generated from any legitimate business activity — they were funded by the deposits of newer investors.
As the scheme grew, users were pressured to recruit others and increase their own contributions under the promise of higher earnings, creating a classic pyramid-style growth cycle.
The scheme has now entered its collapse phase: victims are reporting frozen accounts, failed withdrawal attempts, and sudden demands for "verification" or "unlocking" fees — all tactics designed to extract more money before the operation disappears entirely.
SUMMARY:
There is no verifiable evidence that C42D.vip or its related domains (such as C42D.cc or C42D.shop) operate as legitimate businesses.
The platform entices users with promises of doubling their income if they reach VIP level 4 or higher within a set period, exploiting a fear of missing out to drive deeper financial commitment.
Common signs of a Ponzi scheme are clearly present, including blocked accounts, frozen withdrawals, and sudden "verification" or "unlocking" fees.
Numerous victims have confirmed that their accounts were permanently closed, funds were lost, and they were pressured to make additional payments under various pretexts.
Once issues begin, C42D provides no credible customer support, and communication either stops entirely or deflects responsibility.
Multiple public warnings have been issued by individuals on various online platforms, cautioning others to avoid any involvement with C42D.
As a result of the large number of complainants who approached Specialised Security Services,
The following protocol was established to ensure that every complaint is attended to:
A SSS WhatsApp group has been established, to which the complainants must join to share their information with the Specialised Security Services Cybercrimes Unit. Updates on the investigations will also be shared on the WhatsApp group by the specialist investigators conducting the investigations.
C42D Ponzi Investigation group link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HcJnKIJ3AYzAP9u4cHQ2Oy
If you have questions about the investigation, the groups, or the protocol,
contact the Specialised Security Services Task team:
MR. JD PIENAAR
Contact number: +27 66 377 3301
Email address: jdpienaar@mikebolhuis.co.za
MR. REINIER VAN DIJK
Contact number: +27 64 727 1651
Email address: reiniervd@mikebolhuis.co.za
MR. JASON MOUTON
Contact number: +27 64 742 2629
Email address: jasonm@mikebolhuis.co.za
WHATSAPP GROUP RULES THAT APPLY:
NO PERSONAL INFORMATION IS ALLOWED ON THE GROUP:
All the information must be sent to one of the Cybercrime Investigators mentioned above.
NO PRIVATE CHATS OR SPECULATION ARE ALLOWED ON THE GROUP:
Please stick to relevant conversation only.
BE AWARE THAT ANYBODY CAN JOIN WITH A LINK:
CRIMINALS WILL ALSO JOIN THE GROUP TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE INVESTIGATION AND TO TRY TO DISCREDIT SPECIALISED SECURITY SERVICES.
If anyone from the group contacts you privately, please report it to the group admins, and we will have them removed.
DO NOT BE MISLED BY FAKE PROMISES OF PAYMENT MADE BY THE CRIMINALS THAT HAVE JOINED THE GROUP:
IF SOMEONE APPROACHES YOU IN PRIVATE, LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY.
INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM THE INVESTIGATORS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SENT TO THEM DIRECTLY AND NOT ON THE GROUP:
Investigations like these can take a long time to complete and can be costly.
Please be patient and give our Cybercrime Investigators space and time to do their work.
Mr Mike Bolhuis is the head of our organisation and will deal with the top SAPS and media only.
Please do not contact him directly, rather, contact the Cybercrime team mentioned above.
SSS is deeply concerned about the impact of financial ruin on our clients' mental health.
Victims of the scams we are investigating have not only lost their own money but have also persuaded family members and friends to invest. Scammers further entrap them by offering a supposed 10% return on their "investment" if they share their account details or assist in transferring money - activities that constitute money laundering, a serious criminal offence.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we urge you to take immediate action and reach out for support.
Call the South African Suicide Helpline at 0800 567 567.
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Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
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