Law enforcement agencies from Austria, Cyprus and the Czech Republic uncovered a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded millions of investors early this month. This international cooperation, supported by Europol and Eurojust, led to the arrest of six Austrian suspects and the seizure of significant cryptocurrency assets worth more than €500,000 and €250,000 in fiat currencies.
According to Europol, scammers launched this scam in December 2017, presenting themselves as a legitimate online trading company offering a new cryptocurrency offering. They have managed to raise millions from investors by promising a revolutionary new cryptocurrency powered by a unique software and algorithm. Investors bought into this scheme with the facility
Digital currencies
Digital currencies
Using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are virtually counterfeit-proof digital currencies built on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology consists of decentralized networks, not subject to the supervision of a central authority. Therefore, cryptocurrencies operate by a decentralized nature which makes them theoretically immune to government interference. The term cryptocurrency is derived from the origin of cryptographic techniques used to secure the network.
Using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are virtually counterfeit-proof digital currencies built on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology consists of decentralized networks, not subject to the supervision of a central authority. Therefore, cryptocurrencies operate by a decentralized nature which makes them theoretically immune to government interference. The term cryptocurrency is derived from the origin of cryptographic techniques used to secure the network.
Such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
However, the project's ICO was not transparent, and by February 2018, the perpetrators suddenly removed the company's online presence. They deleted their social media accounts and websites, leaving investors in limbo. It soon became clear that investors had been duped by an exit scam.
🚨 Austrian scammers are fleeing investors, but not law enforcement – six suspects set up cryptocurrency online and made millions from victims before carrying out exit scam
Details⤵️https://t.co/UgNEbfOtwU– Europol (@Europol) May 8, 2024
Europol and Eurojust played crucial roles in the investigation and subsequent crackdown. Europol organized five executive meetings and facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the issue. A specialist from the agency was sent to Cyprus to assist in the operation and ensure the smoothness of the process exchange
exchange
A stock exchange is defined as a market that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities and other financial instruments. In general, a stock exchange can be accessed through a digital platform or sometimes at a physical address where investors organize to conduct trading. One of the main responsibilities of the stock exchange is to support honest and fair trading practices. It is useful in ensuring the effectiveness of the price distribution of supported securities on that exchange
A stock exchange is defined as a market that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities and other financial instruments. In general, a stock exchange can be accessed through a digital platform or sometimes at a physical address where investors organize to conduct trading. One of the main responsibilities of the stock exchange is to support honest and fair trading practices. It is useful in ensuring the effectiveness of the price distribution of supported securities on that exchange
the information.
On the other hand, Eurojust supported the process through a coordination center that enabled real-time communication between jurisdictions. This coordination was vital for the rapid execution of European arrest warrants and search warrants. Austrian police officers went to Cyprus to assist in the investigation and question the main suspect.
Assets seized and justice achieved
Coordinated efforts led to six home searches, which resulted in the seizure of digital assets and fiat currencies. The authorities also froze several bank accounts and confiscated two luxury cars and property worth €1,400,000.
According to Europol, the arrests and asset seizures represent a major victory against cybercrime, especially in the increasingly complex and sophisticated world of cryptocurrency fraud. The ongoing investigation aims to identify all victims and ensure justice for those who were defrauded through this scheme.
Last year, Europol reported another successful crackdown that led to the arrest of five individuals committing fraudulent online investment schemes, including binary options. In 2021, authorities in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, the Netherlands and Ukraine, in cooperation with Europol, took down the criminal gang and arrested a suspect in Cyprus. This scheme affected at least 33,000 victims and resulted in losses amounting to approximately 89 million euros.
Law enforcement agencies from Austria, Cyprus and the Czech Republic uncovered a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded millions of investors early this month. This international cooperation, supported by Europol and Eurojust, led to the arrest of six Austrian suspects and the seizure of significant cryptocurrency assets worth more than €500,000 and €250,000 in fiat currencies.
According to Europol, scammers launched this scam in December 2017, presenting themselves as a legitimate online trading company offering a new cryptocurrency offering. They have managed to raise millions from investors by promising a revolutionary new cryptocurrency powered by a unique software and algorithm. Investors bought into this scheme with the facility
Digital currencies
Digital currencies
Using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are virtually counterfeit-proof digital currencies built on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology consists of decentralized networks, not subject to the supervision of a central authority. Therefore, cryptocurrencies operate by a decentralized nature which makes them theoretically immune to government interference. The term cryptocurrency is derived from the origin of cryptographic techniques used to secure the network.
Using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are virtually counterfeit-proof digital currencies built on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology consists of decentralized networks, not subject to the supervision of a central authority. Therefore, cryptocurrencies operate by a decentralized nature which makes them theoretically immune to government interference. The term cryptocurrency is derived from the origin of cryptographic techniques used to secure the network.
Such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
However, the project's ICO was not transparent, and by February 2018, the perpetrators suddenly removed the company's online presence. They deleted their social media accounts and websites, leaving investors in limbo. It soon became clear that investors had been duped by an exit scam.
🚨 Austrian scammers are fleeing investors, but not law enforcement – six suspects set up cryptocurrency online and made millions from victims before carrying out exit scam
Details⤵️https://t.co/UgNEbfOtwU– Europol (@Europol) May 8, 2024
Europol and Eurojust played crucial roles in the investigation and subsequent crackdown. Europol organized five executive meetings and facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the issue. A specialist from the agency was sent to Cyprus to assist in the operation and ensure the smoothness of the process exchange
exchange
A stock exchange is defined as a market that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities and other financial instruments. In general, a stock exchange can be accessed through a digital platform or sometimes at a physical address where investors organize to conduct trading. One of the main responsibilities of the stock exchange is to support honest and fair trading practices. It is useful in ensuring the effectiveness of the price distribution of supported securities on that exchange
A stock exchange is defined as a market that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities and other financial instruments. In general, a stock exchange can be accessed through a digital platform or sometimes at a physical address where investors organize to conduct trading. Among the main responsibilities of an exchange is to uphold honest and fair trading practices. It is useful in ensuring the effectiveness of the price distribution of supported securities on that exchange
the information.
On the other hand, Eurojust supported the process through a coordination center that enabled real-time communication between jurisdictions. This coordination was vital for the rapid execution of European arrest warrants and search warrants. Austrian police officers went to Cyprus to assist in the investigation and question the main suspect.
Assets seized and justice achieved
Coordinated efforts led to six home searches, which resulted in the seizure of digital assets and fiat currencies. The authorities also froze several bank accounts and confiscated two luxury cars and property worth €1,400,000.
According to Europol, the arrests and asset seizures represent a major victory against cybercrime, especially in the increasingly complex and sophisticated world of cryptocurrency fraud. The ongoing investigation aims to identify all victims and ensure justice for those who were defrauded through this scheme.
Last year, Europol reported another successful crackdown that led to the arrest of five individuals committing fraudulent online investment schemes, including binary options. In 2021, authorities in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, the Netherlands and Ukraine, in cooperation with Europol, took down the criminal gang and arrested a suspect in Cyprus. This scheme affected at least 33,000 victims and resulted in losses amounting to approximately 89 million euros.