- Investment scams on WhatsApp and Telegram are increasing rapidly, and high crypto profits are promised. The perpetrators use messenger services to build trust and pressure investors to make quick decisions.
- Most of the time it is a “once in a lifetime opportunity”. That’s actually true, because the money is then gone, once and forever. The investment fraud is complete.
In current information describes the BaFin several cases in which unsuspecting customers were directed to dubious websites such as “SCATRK” via messenger groups. Banking, financial and crypto services are offered there without any permission.
The perpetrators pose as experienced traders and financial experts who supposedly have access to exclusive market information. Those who fall for this are tricked into depositing money on platforms that look professional but do not conduct any trading. Once the deposit has been made, the money is gone forever and the website is no longer accessible.
Psychological pressure and fictional success stories
A recurring pattern is the use of emotional and social pressure. Get into groups fictional success stories spread, often with screenshots of alleged winnings or testimonials – all lies or fakes.
Scammers use group dynamics to create a sense of urgency. Those who hesitate are subtly portrayed as “too slow” or “too cautious,” while others are supposedly already seeing high returns. What is particularly perfidious is that some perpetrators initially make small payouts possible in order to build trust before demanding larger amounts – and then disappearing with them.
Be careful when contacting via messenger
BaFin emphasizes that any form of crypto service in Germany requires official permission. Offers that are only distributed via messenger groups are almost always dubious. Consumer advice centers are also reporting a growing number of those affected, some of whom have lost five-figure amounts.
The authorities advise not to respond to “investment offers” received unsolicited via WhatsApp or Telegram and not to join suspicious groups or to leave them immediately. Anyone who has already transferred money should report it immediately and try to block payment channels.
The trend shows that cryptocurrencies remain an attractive target for fraudsters, precisely because many investors find the technology interesting but do not fully understand it. BaFin therefore wants to further intensify its warnings in order to make investors aware of the risks and to make the perpetrators’ almost always the same fraudulent schemes widely known.
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