Fraudulent cyber trading that promises unrealistic dream returns is neither new nor uncommon. Nevertheless, the variant of investment fraud is becoming more and more widespread in the age of the Internet. “Investigators have registered a steadily increasing number of fraud victims in recent years. The damage goes into the millions. Over the past five years we are talking about total damage that has reached almost 5 million euros. Last year alone it was over 2.5 million euros, with 79 known cases, which were regularly sourced from abroad. So the trend is increasing,” explains Zurhausen.

Dream returns? No, fraudulent cyber trading!

The first contact takes place when potential customers find out about investment options on the Internet on relevant topic pages. Some websites are already fake and are only intended to be used by fraudsters to obtain user data and money. If investors then find a site they trust, registering is just a small matter. In order to verify the customer data, the operators of the site then request e.g. B. Photos of your identity card and the last heating bill. The process appears serious, which is why potential customers comply with the request.

Shortly afterwards they receive a call from a suspected broker - often with a number from England. The broker also creates additional trust because he sounds like a professional. The effect is not surprising because the alleged broker is trained in the field of capital investments. He talks shop with the investor and gets him to connect to his computer. The investor is shown some tips and tricks on the home screen - but at the same time, they open the door to fraudsters. Access to personal data from outside is now possible without restrictions as long as the computer is connected to the network.

Different types of cyber trading fraud

The customers are now being cheated in various ways: While the fraudsters secretly purchase Bitcoins with the customer data, which they store in anonymous wallets (“electronic wallets”), the investors transfer the first money that the brokers are supposed to work with - convinced of them investment strategy presented. It is not uncommon for only small amounts of money, perhaps 250 euros, to be transferred at the beginning. Many investors are initially unsure and only venture out with great care because their own capital is valuable.

The fake brokers also repeatedly contact investors. The fraudsters even show you on your home screen how the money you invested has tripled after just a few days. However, this is purely an illusion. In reality, this money no longer exists. And the illusion is maintained by further actions. Intoxicated by the first increase in profits, one or two investors demand a partial payout, which in some cases is even granted. In this way, the fraudsters create further trust because the procedure appears serious. Nobody thinks about cheating at this time. Why should investors be paid out if they were cheated?

“The answer is simple: because they want more money from you,” explains Chief Detective Dirk Christossek from the Recklinghausen police headquarters. And unfortunately, many people who are deceived also fall for it. Through the serious nature, constant contact and apparent professionalism that investment fraudsters display, they entice people to invest even more. This is the point the scammers are waiting for - the one they've been working towards all along. It is not uncommon for investors to transfer tens of thousands, even up to several hundred thousand euros in further steps. This also explains the high overall damage caused by investment fraud, which often reaches a seven-figure value.

“The answer is simple: because they want more money from you.”

Chief Detective Dirk Christossek from the Recklinghausen police headquarters

The expert investigator Dirk Christossek reports: “The investigations are difficult in the cases of investment fraud. The internet is fast-moving and so are scammers. The websites are quickly closed and can no longer be found. The known phone numbers are usually issued for false identities and therefore rarely offer a good investigative approach. At the same time, the fraudsters are launching new designed websites and continuing their perfidious scam.”

Supposed dream returns spread by word of mouth

“Unfortunately, the supposed successes spread faster than the lost capital,” warns Police Chief Zurhausen and adds: “Through word of mouth, new investors advertise their first successes, share and recommend them to their friends, family and acquaintances. However, the shame when they realize that they have lost everything prevents many from dealing with it openly. Instead of warning others or reporting to the police, they prefer not to say anything and keep a low profile. This is not unusual, but human behavior. We would still like to encourage those affected to report to the police. Help us prevent others from making the same mistakes.”

The police warn! Not just from fraudulent cyber trading

The police advise: Always be careful, with a certain amount of suspicion! The fraudsters' scams are diverse. Not every case always plays out the same way. Here too, the fraudsters are very inventive. You are also welcome to use a combination of well-known variants, such as the “shock call” and the “fake police officer”. Similar possible combinations can also be found when it comes to investment fraud. For example, some people fake a relationship or romance (“love scamming”), which is ultimately intended to get those involved to transfer money or invest. If those affected follow the suggestion, one thing is certain: the money is gone!

You can find further help here: https://www.polizei-beratung.de/themen-und-tipps/betrug/kredit-und-anlagebetrug/

Source:

Recklinghausen Police Headquarters
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