In cases involving cryptocurrencies, victims are directed to fraudulent platforms to invest, and unknowingly send their money to scammer-controlled accounts. The platform falsely advertises significant returns on investment, and victims are then encouraged to raise more and more money. Eimler said scammers typically introduce an investment opportunity by sharing their success stories and saying they became rich through a particular investment platform. Emiler advises against sending money to an investment platform just because someone you met online or on the phone advised you to do so. “Most of these investment returns don't even make sense mathematically, but people want to trust people who pretend to be their friends, coworkers, or potential partners,” he wrote in an email.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 16, 2023 06:20 UTC