Quote from: takinbo on March 19, 2013, 01:07:33 PM

RodeoX: Do you run an exchange? One of the reasons I decided to get active on the forums was to engage with other exchangers on how they got their exchanges going. I'm interested in making bitcoin and bitcoin-related services popular in Africa.

That seems like a worthy and profitable goal.
No I do not run an exchange. I was only trying to spare a fellow peer from the savagery of the general discussions area. Many, many, people show up there and make one of their first posts about they have determined that bitcoin is a ponzi. Or they ask for a loan, or accuse someone of being a scammer.
Not saying you. But a blanket statement about exchanges being scams will not be well received. It only takes a little reading and the application of some common sense to see the real scams.

1. Don't "invest" in bitcoin, use it.
2. Don't ask for a loan.
3. Use existing systems. Don't think PayPal will somehow work this time.
4. Don't "invest" in any bitcoin business without knowing the underwear size of the company principals.

You are right to fear scammers. Where there is money, there are scams. But not everyone is. And the exchanges have less incentive to scam as they are legitimately profitable.