Cybercrime experts warn of a new type of fraud on dating platforms

Cybercrime experts warn of a new type of fraud that has spread on selected dating platforms in recent months. On networks like Tinder or Bumble, fraudsters try in a sophisticated way to get money from the victims through apparent investments in cryptocurrencies. At present, this fraud is spreading more often, for example in Germany. Recently, fraudsters managed to lure about 100,000 euros from a 26-year-old man. The DPA portal informed about it. Fraudsters often choose a very similar strategy. Despite a false identity, they first manage to arouse the interest of another person on the Internet. They chat with her for weeks, sometimes months. After going through a number of other topics together, the fraudsters will also start mentioning virtual currencies. They most often claim to the victims that they made millions themselves by investing in cryptocurrencies. The fictional story is gradually transformed into investment advice, and fraudsters are even more able to arouse the victim's interest in cryptocurrencies. The victim begins to consider the fraudster an expert. Profit damage often agrees to transfer their saved money to a seemingly professional cryptocurrency trading platform. According to the German case, the young man was in contact with the fraudster for several months. The woman the perpetrator claimed was increasingly motivating him and persuading him to make further investments. As cryptocurrency prices rose, the man invested more and more, according to German police. Confidence faded when the man wanted to have part of his profits paid off. He found out that he had been the victim of fraud and therefore turned to the German law enforcement authorities at the end of November this year. Now, but from the heart of the cryptocurrency world, the deceived German can't expect to expect his money back. Many stores are anonymous. Scammers have long been on dating platforms. A few months ago, however, other reasons dominated in similar cases, for which the fraudsters tried to lure the victim money. These were mainly air tickets or necessary and expensive medical procedures. However, this cryptocurrency strategy is very successful in fraudsters. Human stories also add to this, as many investors have managed to make a lot of money on cryptocurrencies. "In the new model, fraudsters act as wealthy individuals or as financial experts who have made a lot of money by investing. These were often cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, "a representative of the German consulting company The Cyper Helpline told the DPA.