Are 40-Week Bullet Trading Programs Real? No—They’re Collateral-Theft Scams

40 Week Bullet Trading Programs vs Real Hedge Funds

Are 40 Week Bullet Trading Programs Real?

No. They are a collateral theft setup. There is no underwriting, no named bank taking risk, no regulated platform. The play is simple. They push you to issue an SBLC or similar, they use it to pull credit somewhere you cannot see, they buy assets for themselves, and you keep the liability. The pitch looks technical but it falls apart the moment you apply basic checks any real fund or bank uses.

Verdict: Bullet programs are not investments. They are a way to separate you from your collateral and your reputation.

Real Hedge Funds vs Bullet Program Scams

Item Largest Hedge Funds 40 Week Bullet Programs
Who is behind it Named principals and teams. Examples include Bridgewater, Citadel, Millennium, DE Shaw, AQR, Two Sigma. Public bios, real addresses, regulated entities. Unknown. Telegram handles, webmail accounts, no legal entity you can sue. No regulator, no office you can visit.
Regulatory status Registered managers with filings. Audited funds. Compliance teams. Real KYC on investors. Nothing. They ask for a CIS and a passport photo and call it compliance.
Underwriting or risk checks Risk models, limits, counterparty checks, daily P&L. Prime brokers monitor exposures. Independent risk teams say no when needed. Zero. No underwriting. The only test is whether they can control your SBLC.
Custody and cash control Independent administrators. Segregated client assets. Named custodians. Wires go to real banks. MT760 demands, crypto wallets, odd escrow. No admin, no custodian, no segregation. Your collateral vanishes.
Audits and track record Big name auditors. Years of audited returns. LP letters. Risk reports that match markets. Screenshots and spreadsheets. No auditor. No verified returns. Just talk about secrecy.
Source of returns Explained strategies like macro, equity long short, RV, commodities, quant. You can sanity check results. Magical weekly payouts. No blotter, no fills, no market linkage. Only claims.
Use of collateral Margin set by legal agreements. Collateral stays in controlled accounts with haircuts. They demand your SBLC, monetize it for themselves, and you keep the liability when it is called.
Legal docs PPM, LPA, ISDA, collateral schedules, side letters. Lawyers you can call. One page NDA, a fee letter, and a promise. Names redacted for secrecy.
Communications Investor portals, monthly letters, scheduled calls with named PMs. WhatsApp blasts and voice notes. No surnames. No domains. Pressure to move fast.
Exit and recourse Redemption terms, dispute clauses, courts with jurisdiction. No recourse. If they disappear, you are done.

Debunking their favorite lines

“There are secret platforms only insiders can access.”
The FBI says, “There are no secret markets in Europe or in North America in which banks trade securities.”
“Prime bank instruments trade off market.”
The SEC states “neither these instruments, nor the markets on which they allegedly trade, exist.”
“It is a private program, so banks will deny it.”
Treasury OIG lists this exact phrase as a red flag, along with “Secret trading program.”
“Guaranteed 200 percent a week, zero risk.”
Regulators call HYIPs Ponzi schemes that promise high returns with little risk. That promise is the tell.

Why Facebook and LinkedIn are flooded with this trash

Social platforms are packed with unqualified brokers and self titled intake officers who could not pass a basic compliance interview. They parade doctored PDFs and stock logo decks, then claim access to programs measured in absurd figures. Reporters and regulators have shown how investment scams thrive on social media and in online groups, feeding on guaranteed return pitches and pressure tactics. When you see a WhatsApp group pitching “platform trading” with a Gmail address and a borrowed bank logo, that is your exit sign.

What real finance looks like

  • Named entities you can verify, with registrations, addresses, and people who sign documents.
  • Regulators and filings you can check. Auditors you can call. Custodians that hold assets in segregated accounts.
  • Risk frameworks, covenants, and margin. No one asks you to transfer an instrument you cannot claw back.
  • Returns that line up with strategy and markets. No weekly magic money.
If someone is asking for your SBLC for a “40 week bullet program,” stop. Delete the pitch. If money moved, freeze what you can and report it. File with the SEC Investor.gov and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Do not hand over collateral to strangers on the internet.

We call these schemes out because they harm real businesses. We have been attacked and defamed for saying it plainly. We will keep doing it.

Get Started With Us

Submit Your Deal & Receive a Proposal Within 1-3 Working Days

Submit your deal using our secure intake form, and receive a quote within 1-3 business days. Existing clients can connect with their relationship manager through our secure web portal.


All submissions are promptly reviewed, and all communications are conducted through the intake form or the client portal for a seamless and secure process.

Express Application Submit Your Deal
Request a Proposal
Request a Proposal / Submit a Deal

Thank you for considering working with us. A nominal fee of US$500 is required upon completion of each form. This fee covers the time and effort we invest in reviewing your submission and crafting a thorough proposal. We receive numerous inquiries and prioritize those that carry this fee, ensuring serious applicants receive prompt attention.

Trade Finance

Tap into solutions like letters of credit, bank guarantees, and payment facilitation. We address the challenge of global transaction risk through structured strategies that foster cross-border growth. Complete the form to unlock streamlined funding aligned with your commercial objectives.

Submit a Request

Project Finance

Access non-recourse funding for infrastructure, renewable energy, or other capital-intensive ventures. We mitigate capital constraints by isolating project assets and focusing on risk management. Provide your details to receive a structure that drives growth and maximizes returns.

Submit a Request

Acquisitions

Secure financing for business or real estate acquisitions. We ease transaction hurdles by reviewing cash flow, synergy opportunities, and exit plans. Complete the form for a customized proposal that supports your strategic investment objectives.

Submit a Request

For Banks

Financely assists banks facing Basel III pressures by distributing trade finance deals and providing collateral for letters of credit. We reduce capital burdens while preserving client relationships and fostering service expansion. Submit your request to optimize your trade finance offerings.

Submit a Request

Once we receive your submission, our team will review your information to determine feasibility. If eligible, you will receive a proposal or term sheet within 1–3 business days. Visit our FAQ and Procedure pages for more information.

Disclaimer: Financely provides financing based on due diligence and feasibility. Approval is not guaranteed, and past performance does not predict future outcomes. All terms are subject to review. Financely primarily assists with structuring and distribution. Qualified parties carry out the project if the client approves the proposal.

Still Have Questions? Schedule a Consultation

If you still have questions after visiting our FAQ and Procedure pages, we invite you to book a paid consultation for personalized guidance. A $250 USD fee applies per session.