Ponzi scheme scams always comes with similar elements;

They present the idea of tiers or levels
They always promise high returns in a short term
They are always in need of your money for investments and upgrades
You get to bring referrers to invest under you or they would find a way to do that for you
They never have a particular product they sell or are affiliated with any trusted company
Registry is always within the a short time.

Once you identify any 3 or all of these, it’s best you take the next door out.

I feel sorry for your friend that has vowed to get his money back from Ponzi scheme by investing early, early is not always what you think it is. Those operating the scam might call that late even or even propose a time lapse that would eventually become permanent and he ends up topping his loss. Best course of action, learn and move on.