Criminals, allegedly including a Melbourne businessman and lawyer, are using sophisticated online tools and fake prospectuses to swindle millions of dollars.
Millions vanish into crypto world in high-yield bond scam
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Sophisticated British criminals exploited vulnerabilities in Australiaâs search engine and cryptocurrency infrastructure to dupe small investors, lured by the promise of high-yield funds badged by some of the finance worldâs most trusted brands.
The complex scheme involved stolen identities and fraudulent prospectuses that claimed to represent high-yield investment funds run by global managers Citibank, Nomura, and IFM Investors. It has ensnared millions from unsuspecting victims who sought better returns as interest rates collapsed during the COVID-19 crisis.
British scammers have funnelled funds â in parcels as high as $200,000 â through the cryptocurrency ecosystem and sent them offshore.Â