Many victims of investment fraud are targeted again by scammers. This practice, known as recovery room fraud, involves promising help to recover lost money... before extracting even more money.
How do fraudsters operate?
The criminals contact their victims by telephone or email (some victims themselves search for an institution via the Internet and social networks). The scammers pose as lawyers, accountants, regulatory authorities or even the police. To appear credible, they sometimes impersonate well-known companies or official institutions.
They use various methods:
- demanding advance payment (fictitious administrative, legal or tax fees),
- offering ‘free’ help but requesting remote access to the victim's computer in order to install spyware or access PC banking,
- pressuring the victim to create a crypto wallet, which is immediately hijacked.
In all cases, the money disappears and it is almost impossible to recover it.
How can you protect yourself?
- Never respond to promises of fund recovery.
- Refuse any advance payment or request for access to your computer.
- Do not create a crypto wallet at the request of a third party.
- Always file a complaint with your local police if you are a victim of fraud.
Important: the authorities never contact victims to recover money. Any offer of this type is a scam.
More info: https://safeonweb.be/en/i-have-been-scammed-and-am-being-contacted-company-wants-help
