In order to commit a crime, fraudsters call from foreign numbers and present themselves as financial brokers of various companies or as “financial specialists” of various other professions. It is important to know the scheme of action of these fraudsters:
-
fraudsters present themselves as erudite “financial professionals”, offering assistance throughout the investment process;
-
if a person refuses to engage in communication, fraudsters become insistent and even rude;
-
mostly fraudsters speak Russian. When trying to start communication in Latvian, fake brokers admit that they do not speak Latvian. However, the possibility that fraudsters may communicate in other languages in the future must not be ruled out;
-
In communicating with those who have agreed to invest in questionable virtual platforms, “financial professionals” use telephone numbers registered in various countries, such as Lithuania, Estonia, Portugal, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, England and other countries.
-
Initially, communication with fraudsters takes place by telephone, but later, potential investors, accepting the offer, continue to communicate using the Skype chat application or another chat program.
-
In all cases, fraudsters use a technique that makes people believe in the possibility of profit, ie in the beginning, people see an increase in capital. However, such a capital increase can be generated by any computer specialist;
-
Fraudsters persuade people to start investment activities using various virtual internet platforms not registered in the Republic of Latvia.
With the help of “financial specialists”, loyal citizens create current accounts on their computers on virtual Internet platforms and start investing. Fraudsters can also ask you to install software on your computer, such as TeamViewer QuickSupport, AnyDesk, etc., that allows fraudsters to remotely connect to your computer by fraudulently using that person’s accounts and payment methods.
To protect themselves from these types of fraudsters, the State Police reminds that if the caller’s number is not known, then special care must be taken during the conversation and may not disclose your personal data, it could be an attempt by fraudsters to communicate. Also, if you are not sure if the caller is what they are pretending to be – the conversation should be stopped because the fraudsters are putting pressure – they are rushing and using the person’s weaknesses to encourage quick and ill-considered decisions.
Before using investment platforms and conducting transactions, the State Police calls to ascertain whether the said company (business) is registered in Latvia, what are its activities and other types of information indicating the company’s solvency, as well as the chosen service provider has received the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC) license, as only at such deposit takers is the client protected by the state.
Information on licensed investment service providers in Latvia is available on the FCMC website.
