Investment Scam Investigation
Investment Scam Investigation
Scammers use social media and online forums to create fake news and excitement in listed stocks to increase (or 'pump') the share price. Then they sell (or 'dump') their shares and take a profit, leaving the share price to fall. Any other investors are left with low value shares and will lose money. In many cases, investment fraudsters have used a fake website that are similar to the name of a real trading firm that's live and registered, the fraud is often that the website is not the actual website of the real firm or a fake address is provided on the website, often a different bank account name is used for deposits.
Digitpol conducts investigations into Investment Fraud, such crimes are rising rapidly, investment scams such as stock fraud, issuing of fraudulent or fake shares, broker fraud and investment scams are all well organized and not easily to detect. Digitpol has seen an increase in Investment and stock broker scams targeting business and individuals and routing payment to offshore jurisdictions. Digitpol’s operational units deploy daily to assist with the verification of stock brokers and checks on issued shares, validate share certificates, validate investment firms offering such sales.
It is typical that fake trading and Investment fraudsters have used a fake website that are similar to the name of a real trading firm that's live and registered, the fraud is often that the website is not the actual website of the real firm or a fake address is provided on the website, often a different bank account name is used for deposits. Digitpol can check all aspects of a investment company, its location, structure, license, website and the domain. Digitpol conducts checks with the real company to confirm it is theirs (real) or not (fake). We can validate if the company really exists and if they are "live" in the sector of trading.
In the majority of cases, Digitpol visits the investors office to validate the checks and meet with its staff. In the event the findings are fraudulent, then a Police complaint and procedure to recover funds is required.
How Investment Scams Work
Scammers use social media and online forums to create fake news and excitement in listed stocks to increase (or 'pump') the share price. Then they sell (or 'dump') their shares and take a profit, leaving the share price to fall. Any other investors are left with low value shares and will lose money.
In many cases, investment fraudsters have used a fake website that are similar to the name of a real trading firm that's live and registered, the fraud is often that the website is not the actual website of the real firm or a fake address is provided on the website, often a different bank account name is used for deposits.
What Victims Need To
If you have transferred funds to a bank account in error, the following is urgent.
- Report the incident as soon as possible to your local police in the country you reside in. Obtain the Police report or case number.
- Immediately alert your bank the transaction is fraudulent.
- Report the case to the Police in the location of the transferred bank account or engage Digitpol and its legal team to act for you by reporting the complaint to the Police and conducting an Investigation by liaising with the Police and the banks.
- If you have not transferred funds or have not been requested to transfer funds, alerts your payments department to put all payments on hold pending approval and start the incident response protocol.
How We Can Help
We provide operational and forensic support to firms that have fallen victim to fraud and the stolen funds have been wired to bank accounts overseas. Digitpol provides assistance to foreign firms by acting on their behalf in the jurisdiction. Digitpol's legal partner is an expert in the recovery of funds, jointly the combination of investigative support and legal services we offer International firms rapid response expertise to assist with the investigation, seizure and recovery of stolen funds.
Digitpol's Cyber and Fraud Team are certified fraud and forensic examiners and can deploy to assist with all cases related to email fraud, email spear phishing attacks, email scams and on-line related fraud. Digitpol can deploy forensic examiners to investigate hacking, determine how it took place and report the findings, Digitpol ensures that hackers are not active in your network and ensure your user accounts policies and rules are configured correctly to prevent further attacks.
