Kenneth Thom, who went by the flashy online names "K$" and "K Money," allegedly used social media to build a following and deceive hundreds of people out of nearly $800,000. This story is a classic example of how someone can leverage the illusion of success to commit serious financial crimes. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting online "experts" without doing your homework. The Deception: A 'Wall Street Veteran' on Facebook Before his social media fame, Thom had been suspended as a stockbroker by a regulatory body called FINRA. This was because he'd lost an investor's money, mixed it with his own, and then lied to the investor about it. Instead of cleaning up his act, he took to Facebook, presenting himself as a "Wall Street veteran" and a trading "luminary" to his followers. He sold trading courses and advice, building a community he eventually convinced to hand over their money for ...