Two friends say they lost $12,000 to a scooter pyramid scheme

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — 8News is investigating claims of fraud after two women say they lost $12,000 combined after investing in an overseas scooter company.

Just a simple click of a button on her phone using an app is all one woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she she thought she had to do to earn money.

“What's not to like? It was you know, it was fun and you were making money,” said the Central Virginia resident.

The woman reached out to the 8News Taking Action team after she didn't receive her return on her investment into the Lightning Shared Scooter Company. The company, based out of Hong Kong, promises investors the opportunity to make money if they invest in the company.

The Better Business Bureau gave the company an F rating and calls their promises to investors a pyramid scheme. The bureau says the company uses investment levels to promise an earning and encourages investors to bring in other family and friends.

According to the bureau's scam reports, people from more than 20 states have filed complaints against the company reporting loses between $1,000 to $55,000.

The woman 8News spoke with said she invested a little more than $900 to start and was told she would make about $30 day. As people rent the scooters, she watched her account grow using an app.

She said she made her first investment in the summer of 2025 after receiving recommendations from close friends and family and attending in person meetings where she said attendees won prizes.

Investors 8News spoke with said they waited for their account balance to grow before withdrawing. In the meantime, they recruited other family and friends to join.

“I’m like okay this seems as if it could be legit," said the Northern Virginia resident.

The first investor recruited her close friend who said she invested $2,000. She said she hoped to use the money to help her daughter through college.

“It's money that I wish I had. I know some people lost much, much, much, much more than me," she said.

Together, the two friends lost $12,000, but they are not alone. A spokesperson from Chesterfield Police told 8News a couple reported losing $90,000. Minnesota's Attorney General issued a warning to residents in July. In August, the Salinas Police Department in California issued a release saying about 45 victims lost more than $250,000 combined.

"I just feel like you have to be the scum of the earth. Some of these people use what little money they have and they're barely making it. I'm not hurting, hurting like some of the other people were, but I don't appreciate my hard-earned money being taken,” said the Central Virginia resident.

8News tried to contact phone number associated with the scooter company and did not hear back. We also visited offices said to be used by the business and there was no one inside at the time.

"They went through all that trouble and it could have been actually something legitimate. I'm still shaking my head,” said the Central Virginia resident.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 which was a 25% increase from 2023.

Those who were impacted are encouraged to file a complaint with the police. The FBI warns Central Virginians how to spot investment fraud and encourages those who were taken advantage of to file a complaint. You can also contact the consumer protection hotline for the Attorney General's Office at 800-552-9963 or 804-786-2042. You can also visit their website.