Posted on Jan 29, 2023 10:07 pm
Fraud with cryptocurrencies: 6,000 francs stolen from an online trading platform
Eine Morgienne recently fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam. The multiple transfers with no return on investment alarmed him.
by
Francisco Carvalho da Costa
The OFS counts 17,232 cases of digital fraud in 2021.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
“I had a better start to the year with 6,000 francs less…” complains Sara*, who was recently the victim of a cryptocurrency scam. In November 2022, while scrolling her Facebook newsfeed, she clicked on an advertising link that took her to an online trading platform. Fascinated, she makes a first payment of 250 euros when registering. It was the first transfer in a long series. In the end, she will never see her money again. (read box)
She’s not the only one who fell into the trap. The testimonies denouncing the fraud are numerous on the Internet.
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The sums defrauded can reach several thousand francs per victim.
“No shame in being a victim”
“These fraudulent ads are proliferating at a rapid rate across the Internet,” said Steven Meyer, director at Zendata, a cybersecurity company. The expert recommends thorough research before investing online. “Has this platform been around for a long time? Are the comments online positive? he lists. You have to be doubly vigilant because these scammers use “social engineering”, they know how to manipulate people to extort money from them,” the expert states.
According to him, one should not be ashamed to talk about it, as it can quickly lead to a vicious circle. And this phenomenon would hit older people harder: “Some people struggle with technology and are easy prey for these scammers.”
As a reminder: The Federal Statistical Office counted 17,232 cases of fraud with digital procedures in 2021.
A well-done approach
A few days after registering, victims are contacted by a “professional” who explains how their funds are placed on the platform. After several days of exchanging FaceTime messages and phone calls, a relationship of trust develops.
The executioner then asks his victim to pay more and more money to increase the profits made from the trade. At the time his winnings are claimed back, a final transfer of CHF 3,000 is required to pay the “commission costs”. After that there is radio silence, the number is no longer assigned.