<prompt> Human: I dont know anything about foreign exchange, and Im curious on how it goes about as a business. Also is it a viable long term investment?My parents have been invited to join this business and invested at about 7200 and have locked that in for 3 months ensuring that they will receive an interest after that lock in period.This is going to be their second 3 month period and if they receive their share, they already have basically doubled that amount in 6 months if they decide to take the initial amount not to be locked in anymore.I dont know anything about trading, but is this some sort of shady scheme that could end up to my parents losing money?Assistant: Yes, any investment that promises to double your money in 6 months is a scam. Human: Problem is that they are receiving what they should on their terms. Is there a similar type of scheme that is already known?  <response>: This is called a Ponzi scheme The returns that your parents have gotten so far arent actually returns, rather money from other people who got suckered into the Ponzi scheme. There is probably no money invested at all, and it will come crashing down soon. 