Amid the ongoing heat of virtual asset investment, scams targeting investors are thriving, luring victims with promises of investment loss compensation and free coins while siphoning off funds.
According to the Financial Supervisory Service on the 10th, the number of reports of virtual asset investment fraud increased by 59.1%, rising from 66 cases in January to 105 cases in June.
Scammers are approaching victims by claiming they will compensate for past investment losses or personal information leakage damages. Later, they present fake documents in the name of government agencies or impersonate financial institution employees to build trust,诱cing victims with promises of high returns through fake coins offered as loss compensation. However, once victims receive the coins, they are pressured to deposit funds for the coins, claiming they were overpaid or inducing large investment amounts through additional loans.
Scammers are forming trust by recruiting stooges in group chat rooms, posting false certification messages claiming they have recouped investment losses or refunded membership fees. Recently, there has also been an increase in cases where scammers approach users of lottery number prediction sites or stock trading groups, using membership fee refunds as bait.
In particular, they induce victims to join fake virtual asset exchanges, manipulating screens to make it appear as if loss compensation (refunds) are being provided in coins. When victims attempt to cash out coins from their wallets, they delay withdrawals, claiming they must wait until the lock-up period (a period where trading is prohibited) is over.
The FSS noted, "Victims believe that their past investment losses have been actually compensated, which further increases their trust in the scammer, leading them to comply with unreasonable proposals. The methods of investment fraud merely change with the latest trends in financial technology, such as stocks and coins, but the same tactics are repeatedly used, so it is essential to exercise caution."