The strategy of pump and dump is an illegal practice of manipulating the financial markets to try and inflate the price of a security or stock. It is one of the oldest schemes used in the financial markets and has been around for decades. The strategy has gained notoriety in recent years due to its prevalence in the cryptocurrency industry.

Pump and dump schemes use various forms of false or misleading statements to try and get investors to purchase a security or stock. This typically involves someone promoting the asset with exaggerated or overly optimistic statements, such as touting its growth potential or exaggerating its future prospects.

The promoters behind these schemes will also use tactics to try and increase the asset’s price such as creating unrealistic hype on social media or offering to buy the asset large quantities at fixed prices.

Once the asset has been pumped and the market is convinced of its potential, the criminals behind the scheme will sell their shares, making a huge profit. Meanwhile, those left holding the asset suffer huge losses as the asset’s price plummets.

As these schemes are illegal, those found guilty of running a pump and dump scheme can face hefty fines and prison time. It is also important to be aware of the risks associated with pump and dump schemes and to be vigilant when trading.

In conclusion, the pump and dump scheme is an illegal and unethical practice that targets vulnerable investors and can result in significant losses. As pump and dump schemes become more prevalent in the cryptocurrency industry, it is important to be aware of the risks and conduct adequate due diligence when investing.