📈Investment Scams

What are investment scams?

Investment scams are schemes where fraudsters convince people to invest money in unreal or fake investments, promising high returns and quick profits.
The real goal of the scammers is to take your money and disappear.

Common scenarios:

• Fake investment platforms that look like legitimate financial websites but are created solely to collect money from victims.

• Fraudulent ads on social media or websites promising high returns with minimal risk.

• Fake cryptocurrencies or “new investment opportunities” presented as exclusive and highly profitable.

• Phone calls or chats with people posing as “brokers” or “financial consultants” offering “help” with investing.

• Instructions to install software or mobile apps for “easier investing” or “remote assistance” that are actually:

  • Remote access programs (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) giving full control of your device.

  • Fake apps that steal sensitive information or simulate fake platform activity.
    
    

Key indicators:

• Promises of high profits with no risk – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Pressure to decide quickly – “Invest now or you’ll miss the opportunity.”

• Lack of transparency – unclear terms, no verifiable company details, unresponsive phone numbers, fake addresses.
  
  

Risks and consequences:

• Loss of funds – money goes directly to fraudsters and is rarely recoverable.

• Theft of personal or banking information – which may be used for future fraud.

• Emotional distress and stress – after realizing you’ve been scammed.
  
  

How to protect yourself:

• Do not believe in guaranteed easy profits.

• Carefully check any platform before investing – look for licensed companies in the FSC register.

• Never share personal or banking details with strangers.

• Do not send money to unverified individuals or companies.

• Consult a trusted financial advisor before investing.
  
  

Whom to contact if you suspect an investment scam?

• GDBOP – Report suspected crime: gdbop.bg

• Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) – Check licensing: fsc.bg

• Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) – For consumer rights violations: kzp.bg
  
  

What to do if you have already become a victim?

• Notify your bank immediately if you sent money to fraudsters.

• Request a chargeback (if applicable).

• Ask your bank to block account access if you suspect misuse of your data.
  
  

Useful links:

• FSC – Register of Licensed Investment Intermediaries

• GDBOP Website

• FSC Website

• CCP Website
  
  

Examples

Real case: Fraudulent cryptocurrency investment
A woman from Sofia saw a social media ad where a celebrity “recommended” a new cryptocurrency. A “consultant” convinced her to invest BGN 5,000 in a platform that looked real. Weeks later, her account showed a “profit,” but when she tried to withdraw funds, the consultants vanished. The platform was fake, and the money could not be recovered.

Quick tip:

• Guaranteed profits? Almost certainly a scam.

• Check if the platform is licensed with the FSC.

• Never send money or documents to strangers online.
  
  

Real case: Fake broker
A man from Plovdiv got a call from someone claiming to be from an international investment company. He transferred BGN 10,000 abroad over several payments. When he tried to withdraw his “profits,” communication stopped, and the website turned out to be less than a month old.

Quick tip:

• Stop all communication if you feel pressured.

• Do not trust unsolicited investment offers.

• Contact your bank or report to GDBOP immediately.
  

Quick tip: Check the website address

• Real companies use official domains (.bg, .eu, .com).

• Watch for spelling mistakes or suspicious extensions (.site, .info).

• Search the company name plus “scam” or “fraud” online.