The cryptocurrency exchange Debiex is facing regulatory scrutiny in the United States, with authorities claiming that high-ranking staff members orchestrated romantic relationships with potential customers as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain their funds.
In a statement released on January 19, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) detailed allegations that Debiex staff deliberately misled potential customers by building trust before persuading them to open accounts with the cryptocurrency exchange.
Debiex purportedly assured customers that their funds would be invested in cryptocurrencies, but according to the CFTC, the funds were allegedly misappropriated for personal gain by the exchange's senior staff members. We have seen all such scams on Telegram also where users got deceived by the name of crypto investment.
Amidst the pig butchering scheme orchestrated by Debiex, the regulator asserts that, despite only identifying five victims within a two-year span, the illicit operation managed to pilfer over $2 million.
According to the statement released, the regulator alleges that from approximately March 2022 to the present, Debiex accepted and misappropriated around $2.3 million from approximately five customers as part of this fraudulent scheme.
As Valentine's Day looms just a few weeks away, individuals are strongly advised to exercise caution, particularly as February 14 approaches. Authorities are urging people to be wary of any romantic connections that involve connecting crypto wallets or signing up for crypto services, given the recent surge in scams within the cryptocurrency space. It is essential to protect investments in this growing crypto market.
In recent times, perpetrators of romance scams have seized upon the growing popularity of cryptocurrency, employing deceptive tactics to exploit victims for financial gain.
The landscape has evolved, and romance scammers are now adopting a more expedited strategy to deplete funds, departing from the traditional approach of building trust through prolonged interactions on dating apps.
Coin Gabbar recommends a new tactic emerging among romance scammers known as targeted approval phishing. This method involves convincing victims to authorize a transaction, thereby granting scammers access to wallets and enabling them to swiftly drain funds. As the crypto space continues to evolve, individuals are urged to remain vigilant against these evolving threats in the realm of online romance.
Also Read: Thai SEC Opens Path for Digital Token Investor Expansion
