The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), which fights illegal activities in the field of financial investments, has published an overview of the main trends in investment fraud.
- Fraudulent trading platforms and cryptocurrency scams continue to account for around half of the reports received by FSMA concerning illicit activities.
- Recovery room scams are on the rise (up 59% on the same period in 2023). This involves victims being recontacted by fraudsters who will supposedly help them recover lost money.
- FSMA has noted a significant increase in the number of consumer notifications concerning illicit activities in the first half of 2024 (+44% compared with the same period in 2023).
More information in the FSMA dashboard for the first half of 2024.
A new contact form for cases of fraud or suspicion has been launched on the FSMA website. The new form, which can be accessed from the contact page of the FSMA website, is specifically aimed at cases where consumers believe they have been the victim of investment or counterfeit credit fraud, or if they have doubts about the legitimacy of the people they are dealing with.
The new form supports consumers by asking them a series of targeted questions about the company they are in contact with, the financial products they have been offered, and the way in which they have paid in funds.
Receiving this information in a structured way will enable FSMA to respond more effectively to consumers and better target irregular players in the financial sector.
Source : https://www.fsma.be/en/news/half-yearly-dashboard-investment-fraud-0
Find out more about the false investment awareness campaign.
To find out more about investment fraud and how to protect yourself: https://safeonweb.be/en/dont-be-fooled-investment-scams
