In recent months, people in Cameroon have been seeing returns from a platform claiming to be affiliated with Sunrun, a legitimate American solar energy company.
Sites like “https://www.sunruncm.cc/” and “https://www.sunruncm.org/” present themselves as extensions of Sunrun, luring investors with promises of high returns.
Despite some people receiving initial payouts, these schemes exhibit classic characteristics of a Ponzi scheme—a type of scam where returns to earlier investors are paid using funds from new investors rather than legitimate business profits.
However, after investigation, Sunrun Inc. has confirmed they have no operations in Cameroon and are not affiliated with any company in that region.
Let’s dive into how these schemes operate, why they’re dangerous, and how you can protect yourself.
Update: The company created another site ; sunruncm.top. Do not fall for it please. It is a scam.
Who They Claim to Be
These scam websites claim an affiliation with Sunrun, Inc., a well-known U.S.-based solar company founded in 2007, headquartered in San Francisco, and publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker “RUN.”
The scammers purport that their Cameroonian branch allows local users to profit through equipment rentals, referrals, and team-based commissions.
They claim that by “renting” photovoltaic (solar) equipment, investors can earn stable daily returns or get bonuses for referring new members.
How the Scheme Claims You Can Make Money
The platform presents three main “investment opportunities”:
1.Equipment Rentals for Daily Income
Users are invited to “rent” various models of photovoltaic equipment with daily income claims:
- S5: Rent for 5,000 FCFA, earn 250 FCFA daily, total 10,000 FCFA after 40 days.
- S398: Rent for 398,000 FCFA, earn 23,084 FCFA daily, total 1,015,696 FCFA after 44 days.
The rental terms and returns seem highly lucrative, yet these types of setups are typical in Ponzi schemes to attract high investment turnover.
2. Referral Bonuses
The scheme offers users a “reward” for each referral who rents equipment.
Depending on the equipment rented, users can earn from 2,000 FCFA to 8,000 FCFA per referral.
These types of bonuses incentivize the recruitment of new members, fueling the Ponzi structure with fresh funds.
3. Team Commissions
They promise commissions if team members (downline recruits) invest in specific equipment.
For example, you receive a 10% commission from direct referrals, 5% from indirect referrals, and 1% from third-level recruits, which mimics a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure commonly used in scams.
Why Be Cautious
While some individuals are reportedly receiving payouts, Ponzi schemes generally pay early investors using the money from newer investors, creating a false sense of legitimacy until funds eventually run dry.
In the long run, such schemes tend to collapse, leaving later investors with significant losses.
Message from Sunrun Inc.
After inquiries from Camerland, Sunrun Inc. released the following statement:
“After looking into these claims, we believe that this is a scam. Sunrun does not operate in Cameroon or affiliate with any company in that location.”
Screenshot below;
Why This is Likely a Ponzi Scheme
Ponzi schemes, including this one, share several traits:
- High and Unrealistic Returns: No legitimate investment would guarantee such returns without substantial risk.
- Income from New Investments: Returns to older investors are paid by bringing in new investors, not from real profit-generating activities.
- Focus on Recruiting Over Product or Service: The heavy emphasis on referral bonuses and team commissions indicates that the primary goal is to draw in more investors.
While some people have indeed been paid, this is typical in the early stages of Ponzi schemes.
Initial payouts create the illusion of legitimacy, encouraging investors to “reinvest” or attract new participants.
However, as the scheme grows unsustainable and cash flow dwindles, it will likely collapse, leaving the majority of investors with losses.
How to Recover Your Money from Sunrun Investments
If you invested in Sunrun and are affected by its closure, MTN Cameroon is offering a lifeline by refunding all deposits made into Sunrun accounts. Here’s what you should do:
- Visit an MTN Service Center: Bring proof of your transactions with Sunrun.
- Verify Deposits: MTN staff will check and confirm your deposits into the Sunrun platform.
- Claim Your Refund: Once verified, MTN will reverse your payments.
Advice for Potential Investors
1. Research Thoroughly
If a company claims affiliation with a larger, well-known entity, verify directly with the parent company.
Official channels like company websites or verified contact details are reliable sources.
2. Beware of Unrealistic Returns
High, guaranteed returns on investments with little to no risk are a hallmark of scams.
Legitimate investments often come with potential risks that match their rewards.
3. Avoid Recruitment-Based Earnings
If the bulk of the income comes from recruiting others, it’s likely unsustainable.
Reliable businesses focus on genuine products and services rather than recruitment-driven profits.
2 Comments
Jakaïwa Abel
Unfortunately I and my family are victims of this scam not forgetting hundred of us that has fallen pray to this godforsaken company but I have learned an important lesson and thanks for the reassurance