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Crypto fraud strikes: man loses 94,000 euros in Western Pomerania!
A 63-year-old man from Vorpommern-Greifswald lost 94,000 euros through crypto fraud. The police warn of investment fraud.
Crypto fraud strikes: man loses 94,000 euros in Western Pomerania!
Today, when digital investments are booming, a sad chapter in fraud prevention is opening. A 63-year-old man from the Vorpommern-Greifswald district was the victim of a sophisticated investment fraud. The incident occurred in early June when the man came across an online ad promising lucrative investments in cryptocurrencies. He was convinced by the tempting offers and registered for the platform, which ultimately ended in a loss of 94,000 euros. High financial losses are not just isolated cases, but a widespread problem.
After paying a registration fee of 250 euros, he was contacted by a supposed contact person who assured him how safe and profitable his investment was. It was only when his bank repeatedly approached him with questions about the transfers that he began to doubt the reliability of the platform. As the Picture reported that the fraudsters used misleading advertisements and feigned seriousness in order to get their victims' money.
Crypto scams on the rise
The phenomenon of crypto fraud is reaching worrying proportions. In 2023 alone, crypto fraudsters stole $5.6 billion worldwide. According to FBI research, cryptocurrency-related scams account for approximately 10 percent of all fraud cases. People over 60 are particularly affected, as they lost around $1.6 billion to such fraudulent scams in 2023 alone. How t3n states, investment fraud is the most common form of fraud, followed by call center fraud.
Apparently the trend is for fraudsters to reach deep into the pockets of those they trust via social networks and messenger services such as TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram. They try to lure unsuspecting consumers to fake trading platforms with unrealistic promises of profits onlinesicherheit.gv.at describes. The method of “cloning” scammers posing as legitimate companies is also becoming increasingly common.
How to protect yourself
The police advise you to be extremely careful when it comes to investment offers - especially if they promise that you can make high profits with little risk. One should never disclose personal information without being sufficiently informed. There should be great distrust of unknown callers. Those who have already been affected by an investment scam often find themselves trapped in a cycle of further loss, as fraudsters also contact the harmed investors and offer “help,” only to defraud them again.
Against this background, it is more important than ever to remain skeptical and be well informed. The recommendation is to contact the police directly if you are unsure or to check the approval of companies in the Financial Market Authority (FMA) company database to ensure that you are not dealing with fraudsters. Because in online trading and especially when it comes to crypto investments, it is better to be safe than sorry!