: an investment swindle in which some early investors are paid off with money put up by later ones in order to encourage more and bigger risks
Examples of Ponzi scheme in a Sentence
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Prosecutors argued and investigators testified that Natalie killed Michael to prevent her Ponzi scheme from being exposed at a bank meeting scheduled the day Michael fell ill.
—
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025
The Sun spoke with investors from Maryland and Pennsylvania, alleging a widespread, massive Ponzi scheme.
—Kate Cimini, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
But when the initial concept struggled, the duo faked bank records and continued to woo investors, creating what eventually became a Ponzi scheme.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
The fund disbursing money to the victims of Bernie Madoff’s legendary Ponzi scheme began its 10th and final distribution on Monday, putting another $131 million in the pockets of swindled investors.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2024
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Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025
The Sun spoke with investors from Maryland and Pennsylvania, alleging a widespread, massive Ponzi scheme.
—Kate Cimini, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
But when the initial concept struggled, the duo faked bank records and continued to woo investors, creating what eventually became a Ponzi scheme.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
The fund disbursing money to the victims of Bernie Madoff’s legendary Ponzi scheme began its 10th and final distribution on Monday, putting another $131 million in the pockets of swindled investors.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Ponzi scheme
Dictionary Entries Near Ponzi scheme
Cite this Entry
“Ponzi scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ponzi%20scheme. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
Ponzi scheme
noun
Pon·zi scheme
ˈpän-zē-ˌskēm 
: an investment swindle in which early investors are paid with sums obtained from later ones in order to create the illusion of profitability
Etymology
Charles A. Ponzi (ca. 1882–1949), Italian-born American swindler
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