81,000 euros, 50,000 euros and 12,200 euros. Three Hammer citizens between the ages of 53 and 80 were defrauded of a total of over 140,000 euros (current investigation status) last month. Victims are often inexperienced in online trading. Cybercriminals exploit this for their machinations and lure customers with exorbitant profit opportunities.

In order to acquire “customers”, criminals create fraudulent investment platforms for crypto investments on the Internet and promote them via email or through advertisements with enormous return potential. These platforms look legitimate at first glance, so victims voluntarily submit their data via a contact form.

Crypto Scam: Example of a Fraudulent Investment Platform for Online Investments
Crypto Scam: Example of a Fraudulent Investment Platform for Online Investments

Alleged investment advisors contact you, for example via WhatsApp, and try to credibly authenticate themselves with photos of ID cards and other identification documents. They support their customers closely in comprehensive chats, by telephone and, often, via remote software with direct access to private computers.

The fake advisors guide their victims through registration and help set up the necessary accounts and transfers. After an initial - usually smaller - investment, the fraudsters convince their victims to make further, larger deposits with horrendous returns or require high security deposits before the supposed winnings are paid out. Lured by the alleged investment successes, it is not uncommon for damages to run into the high five-figure range.

Urgent warning

  • Unusually high winnings with little stake should always make you suspicious. – Research the trading platforms before signing up or transferring money.
  • Do not reveal any sensitive data – such as access data for online banking or the depot.
  • Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure and do not provide security in order to have alleged winnings paid out
  • Anyone who fears that they have fallen for a dubious scam should report this to the police and file a criminal complaint.

Source: Hamm Police Headquarters

Also read: Bitcoin scammers are looking for victims on Facebook and Tinder


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