Million-credit scam: Transport worker in Krasnoyarsk Krai alleged to be family member of con artists
In Miniussink, a city in the southern region of Krasnoyarsk Krai, three individuals lost their money after investing in a feykih (pirate) exchange, including borrowed funds. A 56-year-old truck driver was lured by scammers who promised profits on a trading platform in their smartphone. They convinced him to bring in his relative and friend, increasing the number of victims. The investments seemingly vanished without a trace.
The tempting offer to try investing caught the man's eye in December 2024. He filled out an application, and someone claiming to be an investment company employee called him.
The trading activities were apparently carried out on the mobile trading platform. The novice investor took out loans and transferred them to the provided details.
At some point, the withdrawal of funds became blocked, and then the truck driver introduced his niece and friend to the scheme. They also took out loans and transferred money - the victims of the scam realized this only when the total amount reached 5.1 million rubles. Needless to say, there was no withdrawal of funds or return of money. It was only then that the victim reported the incident to the police.
A criminal case was opened for especially large-scale fraud.
The prosecutor's office once again warns: it's never safe to share personal data, taking out loans without necessity, and trusting anyone representing themselves as bank or law enforcement personnel over the phone.
According to the department, since the beginning of the year, con artists have defrauded residents of the region to the tune of 332.5 million rubles, with less than 16% of these crimes being solved.
Photo: DELA
Investment scams can be found in various forms and locations, such as in Miniussink, Siberia. Here’s a detailed look at these types of scams, their potential victims, and some warnings:
Overview of Investment Scams
Investment scams involve deceitful practices intended to mislead individuals by offering unusually high returns with minimal risk. These scams often target people who are looking to grow savings or retirement funds.
Types of Scams
- Fake Investment Opportunities: Scammers may create phony investment opportunities that promise extraordinary returns.
- Ponzi Schemes: In these schemes, earnings from new investors are used to pay returns to earlier investors, creating an illusion of profitability.
- Phone Trading Scams: Scammers might operate trading platforms that are unregulated or entirely fraudulent, promising easy profits through foreign currency or crypto trading.
Victims
- Individuals: People seeking investment opportunities are often targeted.
- Small Business Owners: Those looking to diversify investments may also fall prey.
- Elderly Individuals: Scammers often target seniors, who may be less familiar with modern technology and financial markets.
Warning Signs of Phone Trading Scams
- Unregistered Platforms: Be cautious of trading platforms that are not registered with appropriate financial authorities.
- Unrealistic Promises: Platforms offering impossible returns likely are scams.
- Unverifiable Physical Presence: Legitimate financial institutions usually have a physical office. Be wary of platforms without a concrete address.
- Poor Customer Support: If it’s difficult to get help or clarification, the platform might be a scam.
- Request for Personal Information: Be cautious of platforms asking for sensitive personal and financial data.
- Cold Calls: Scammers often use cold calls to reach potential victims.
Protect Yourself
- Research: Always research the platform and its legitimacy.
- Verify Registration: Check if the platform is registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies.
- Avoid Unsolicited Calls: Never invest based on unsolicited phone calls or messages.
- Secure Connections: Ensure all online transactions are conducted over secure, encrypted connections.
If you suspect an investment scam, report it to local authorities or financial regulatory bodies. In Russia, you can contact the Central Bank of Russia or the Financial Ombudsman Service.
- In the industry of finance, investment scams such as the one in Miniussink, Siberia, where three individuals lost their money after investing in a supposed trading platform, can take various forms like fake investment opportunities, Ponzi schemes, or phone trading scams.
- To avoid falling victim to investment scams like the one in general-news and crime-and-justice, residents in any region should be cautious of trading platforms that make unrealistic promises, are not registered with financial authorities, have poor customer support, lack a physical address, ask for sensitive data, or initiate unsolicited calls.
