Although the overall number of burles decreased by 2024, the PSP registered an increase in criptocytee fraud. Investment in virtual currencies is one of the most commonly used methods.
The Public Security Police (PSP) issued an alert due to Increase of burlas with cryptocurrenciesespecially due to the emergence of two new fraud methods since the beginning of the year. Authorities have reinforced sensitization and prevention to avoid more victims.
New schemes aim to deceive victims, but differ in approach. In the first method, criminals promise quick and easy profits to convince victims to Invest in virtual currency portfolios that eventually disappear.
In the second, the burns are going through companies, offering a false return of money related to investments in cryptocurrencies, leading the victim to Bank transfers Instead of receiving any amount, explains the.
Subintendent Sérgio Soares points out that “the circumvents have been taking on a great representativeness in the generally denounced crime” and that the PSP constantly accompanies this evolution to act in criminal investigation and prevention.
The second burla method, the “false employee”, involves fraudulent calls originating in Portuguese numbers, leading the victim to share the screen from the mobile phone and allowing the burlon to see the codes introduced. “We believe we are facing a highly sophisticated scheme,” concludes Sérgio Soares, reinforcing the importance of keeping attention redoubled and not sharing sensitive information without proper confirmations.
PSP provisional data show a decrease in the occurrences of circumvents In 2024, with 26 464 cases registered, less 3878 than the 30 342 of 2023. The “Hello Mother/Hello Dad” was the one that registered the largest descent, from 4314 occurrences in 2023 to 2178 in 2024, which was due to raising awareness and detention actions carried out by PSP and other security forces.
However, cryptocurrency -related throlles increased from 113 by 2022 to 258 in 2024. The large metropolises of Lisbon and Porto, followed by Setúbal, registered the largest number of cases. In the Lisbon Metropolitan Command, the occurrences doubled from 2022 (53) to 2024 (105).
The criptocytee -free scam frequently resorts to cyberspace, using false pages on social networks or fraudulent links. Sérgio Soares warns of signs such as promises of high and rapid returns, early cryptocurrency payments, and free investment help offers.
