Security at MeDirect
Investment
scam
Beware of anyone who promises you easy money, especially when trading on online trading platforms, as they are a breeding ground for cybercriminals.
What is an investment scam?
In an investment scam, fraudsters try to steal your money by presenting an investment opportunity with seemingly high returns, which ultimately turn out to be non-existent.
These scammers often impersonate reputable individuals or organizations and may even create fake investment websites or platforms.
They aim to establish personal contact through phone calls, text messages, and emails, or deceive you with fraudulent ads on social media. Typically, they target individuals who have recently come into a significant amount of money, such as from an inheritance or pension.
Tips to recognise
investment scams
Unsolicited contact
You receive unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages, or you end up on a fraudulent website via an advertisement on social media.
Money transfer
Your contact asks you to transfer money to a foreign bank account or a crypto account. Fraudsters may even ask to take control of your computer to help you create ‘your account’ on which the money will have to be transferred.
Too good to be true
The investment proposition promises very high returns. It often plays on current events and is located in emerging countries.
What is an investment scam?
In an investment scam, fraudsters try to steal your money by presenting an investment opportunity with seemingly high returns, which ultimately turn out to be non-existent.
These scammers often impersonate reputable individuals or organizations and may even create fake investment websites or platforms.
They aim to establish personal contact through phone calls, text messages, and emails, or deceive you with fraudulent ads on social media. Typically, they target individuals who have recently come into a significant amount of money, such as from an inheritance or pension.
Urgent
Most of the time, you need to decide quickly about the offer.
Unusual information
Either there is a lot of information about the product, or almost nothing. The communication is often coming from outside Europe, via a non-business email address.