Public radio’s longest-running daily global news program.
©2025 The World from PRX
PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402.
In Yemen, after more than a decade of war and economic collapse, thousands of women seeking financial independence thought they’d found a way out of poverty. Online trading platforms — often promoted by friends and family — promised hefty returns of 20%, even 50% on investments. But the companies were frauds. And in a single week, one particular company vanished with $12 million from some 40,000 investors. Hashed Mozaqer and Bassem al-Nawawi talked to victims in Sanaa about how these scams spread, and how they exploit people desperate for income.