New York, NY securities attorney Jenice L. Malecki talks about the warning signs of affinity fraud and Ponzi schemes. She explains that Ponzi schemes often emerge within affinity communities. Red flags include situations where everyone in a close-knit group is investing in the same opportunity, difficulty withdrawing funds, constantly postponed redemption horizons, or statements that seem inconsistent. Additional warning signs are a lack of transparency or accounting for the underlying investment, such as claims of real estate-backed securities that cannot be verified. These indicators suggest that an investor may be at risk of falling victim to a Ponzi scheme.