Description

Description of the Scam: Lightning Shared Scooter Co., Ltd. (LSSC) presents itself as a legitimate scooter rental management platform where users can supposedly earn passive income by “renting” electric scooters via a mobile app. However, there are several red flags and deceptive practices that suggest LSSC is operating as a Ponzi-style scam rather than a real transportation business. The platform requires users to invest funds under the guise of “purchasing scooters” that are then supposedly rented out, generating daily returns. In reality, there is no proof that any scooters are being deployed or used in public locations. The “earnings” users receive appear to be paid from the deposits of newer users rather than actual business revenue. Key warning signs: • No App Store Listing: The platform does not exist on the Apple App Store or Google Play, which is unusual for a global scooter rental business. Users are asked to download the app from a website, similar to the behavior of a known scam called CBEX. • Changing Domains: LSSC has changed its website domain multiple times within a short span, which is a tactic often used by scams to avoid detection or blacklisting. • Emphasis on Recruitment: Users are pressured to invite others in exchange for bonuses. This behavior prioritizes recruitment over actual scooter-related operations, resembling pyramid scheme models. • Lack of Transparency: There is no clear information about the company’s CEO, team, or verifiable address. Legal documents are vague, and no terms of service or privacy policy is publicly accessible. • False Licensing Claims: LSSC claims to be registered in Hong Kong and to hold a U.S. MSB license, but no verifiable documentation has been provided. These claims may be fabricated to create a false sense of legitimacy. • Connection to Previous Scams: LSSC closely resembles CBEX, a platform that used nearly identical investment methods and ultimately collapsed, leaving users unable to withdraw their money. Currently, there are online videos and community discussions emerging that accuse LSSC of being a scam. Early investors may have made small profits, but these payouts appear to be used to maintain trust and bring in more users. As with typical Ponzi schemes, when new investments slow down, the platform will likely collapse, and users will lose their funds.