Today I got a call from a “Binance employee”. Reason? It was about withdrawing funds from that exchange. Problem is, I don’t have a dime on it. So what was it about? A new scam!
New scam “on Binance”
Today, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. someone called me from a number ending with “784”. I didn’t have it saved in my smartphone’s memory, but I decided to answer the call anyway. And if I had been less familiar with the methods of cybercriminals, I could have been robbed.
But first things first. A man with a distinct Eastern accent spoke to me. He introduced himself as a Binance representative. It was supposed to be about withdrawing funds from the exchange. Someone was supposed to order such a transaction. Of course, it wasn’t me! To stop the potential theft, I was supposed to install the exchange’s application. My interlocutor was supposed to send me the link. At this point, however, I ended the conversation.
As I mentioned, I don’t have any funds on Binance. I created an account a few years ago, but I haven’t logged in for a long time. So I knew I didn’t have a cent on the platform. I’m also aware of how criminals operate online. The application that the “Binance employee” was supposed to send me was probably a virus or a program that was supposed to steal my login information. The case immediately smelled bad.
But what if the call was answered by someone who was less familiar with cryptocurrencies and cybercrime? And who had a Binance account and some money or digital assets in it? A moment of inattention could have caused them to lose their crypto savings.
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods!
I have written about victims of criminals several times on Bitcoin.pl. Not without reason. It is about educating the community and pointing out the cynicism of criminals.
For example, a 45-year-old resident of Jaworzno wanted to start investing in the cryptocurrency market. She was convinced by an ad she came across online. In this way, she lost as much as PLN 700,000. The method was similar to the one I described above. Someone called her (she gave her number on the page to which the aforementioned ad led) and convinced her to make an investment. At the request of the “advisor,” she installed a special “app.”
Unfortunately, the app allowed the scammer to independently conduct transactions on her account. Once he had obtained a “remote desktop,” he stole all the money from the victim’s account and then took out loans using her and her son’s information.
– the Silesian Police now reports.
To show the particular scale of the criminal’s actions, it must be added that he threatened the woman that if she did not make further payments to the platform, he would take her to court in England.
Another case. The police from Ostrołęka are currently dealing with a case concerning a 48-year-old man. He lost several thousand zlotys on cryptocurrencies. The criminals were supposed to help him multiply his savings (he also obtained their contact details through online advertising).
When he wanted to withdraw (profit), his transaction was rejected. After contacting the investment advisor, he received information that in order to withdraw the funds, he had to pay the electricity bill. The 48-year-old did not know why, but he paid a total of PLN 8,000 into the account indicated in the offer, which was many times higher than his alleged profit. Despite the payment, his investment funds were still blocked, and the investment consultant instructed him to pay more money in the amount of several thousand zlotys. That was when the man realized that he had been scammed.
– the police report the case.
AI in alliance with criminals
It is worth remembering that fraudsters’ methods are becoming and will continue to become more sophisticated. AI is helping them.
On Facebook, you can find a “roll” with Rafał Zaorski in the lead role. Or more precisely: his AI clone. “The most famous Polish speculator” allegedly promotes Plinko. The project is supposed to allow you to earn over 15,000 PLN in a month.
Of course, I probably don’t have to add that this is another scam, and one that uses artificial intelligence. Rafał’s appearance and voice don’t come off particularly naturally. However, in a year the whole thing might look much more credible!
How to avoid being scammed?
So how do you avoid getting scammed? It’s simple. It’s just worth remembering that there is no “easy and quick” way to make money on the market. Every investment involves risk.
As for the situation that happened to me, it is enough to remember that exchanges do not contact customers by phone. Most often, they write them e-mails.
In summary, any investment or non-standard movement related to the stock exchange (bank) should be verified by you. Also, never install applications from an unreliable source.
