Another scheme, prime bank notes are “fictitious and fraudulent instruments -- not backed or endorsed by any legitimate financial institution.” In other words, prime bank notes do not exist. 4 These “investments” are often marketed using an assortment of vague terms such as debentures, letters of credit, commercial paper, prime notes, bills of exchange; bank secured trading programs or loan roll programs. The sales pitch typically includes promises of unrealistic rates of return (., 150 percent) and discussions of Federal Reserve, European Bank or World Bank involvement. 5 In addition, the seller typically refers to the investment as secret, or available only.
