Actually HYIPS come and go, at first, while they're still hot, they pay members... but if they lost member's investments on their outside investment, they were unable to payback their members. The good strategy you can do on HYIP's is to invest a money, and withdraw your capital when you've been break even and double your capital, and then go out of it. Make use also of HYIP monitors to have an idea how much days a HYIP is at business. Most HYIPs last only for 3 months to 2 years. I feature a topic on my blog on a HYIP that will give you free $25 deposit and will earn profits for you without investing anything.
Also, don't blame a HYIP site if they have scammed you, they also invest your investments and become a victim of being scammed too. Good instinct and common sense is useful on choosing a good HYIP site.