Romanian police say they have been alerted to new online scams in which criminals pose as public figures or celebrities to convince their victims to “invest” in their scams.

With this method, also called “celebrity impersonation fraud”, they use the images and names of public figures or Romanian or international celebrities to lure people into investing in fake investment products or funds.

How the celebrity impersonation scam works

“The method of operation of this scam can vary, but it usually starts with promoting an investment that is associated with a famous celebrity to make people believe that the investment is safe and profitable.

Suspects may use various means to contact people, such as fake websites, online ads, social media posts, or spam.

For example, posts may promote business investments, stock market shares, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or other types of investments associated with that celebrity. They may be presented as get-rich-quick offers or as exclusive products or services that will only be available for a limited time.

To convince people to invest, the suspects may use various tactics such as providing false claims, testimonials, promises of quick and large profits, emotional manipulation or pressure to make a quick and immediate decision.

Thus, the affected individuals are set to either feed, via bank transfer, or directly transfer cryptocurrency to addresses controlled by the suspects.

There are cases where victims are persuaded to install remote control applications on fixed or mobile terminals, with which the suspects direct them to create accounts on various cryptocurrency trading platforms, after which funds are transferred as FIAT (the corresponding amount of money, for example: lei, euro , dollars, etc.), as well as cryptocurrencies, are carried out, in some cases, without the consent of the victims, through the unauthorized use of authentication data.”

Law enforcement officers advise to protect yourself from such online fraud

“Given these considerations, it is important that citizens be vigilant and thoroughly research any investment opportunity before investing real money, and be very careful when dealing with such a person and avoid getting enriched. quick promises.

We also recommend paying close attention to investment platforms that promise high returns in a very short time. It’s a way to get as many get-rich-quick people as possible. With this method of deception, called “trading scam”, the invested money is lost completely.

Before making an investment decision, carefully study the platform, check the reviews of other investors and consult a specialist in this field (financial consultant).”