Attackers send SMS to users or are associated with them through encrypted messaging platforms. Criminals impersonate Binance representatives and convince users that their accounts on the exchange are hacked. People are sent to fake checks and fake phone numbers through which the victims fall on the hotline with scammers. Then the victims are convinced of the transfer of cryptocurrency assets to a special “trust wallet”, explaining security considerations. However, this wallet is completely under the control of scammers, and it is already impossible to return the funds sent to it, the Australian police explained.
The police have identified more than 130 people who could “follow” by scammers and lose cryptoactives. The scam was disclosed during the Firestorm operation – the international initiative of law enforcement agencies directed against cybercriminals working with digital finances.
In 2023, the losses of users from investment in fraudulent crypto schemes exceeded $ 1.3 billion.
The Australian division of Binance helped the authorities look for scammers, but the exchange itself was faced with legal problems. In December, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission began a trial against Binance Australia Derivatives, accusing the platform of incorrect classification of retail investors and violation of margin trade requirements.
Last fall, the Australian authorities proposed to oblige cryptocurrency services to receive a license for the provision of financial services (AFS). Licensing of crypto companies should reduce the volume of fraud and market manipulations with digital assets, the authorities hope.
Source: Bits
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