Woman loses fortune due to crypto fraud: How to avoid falling into the trap!

Woman loses fortune due to crypto fraud: How to avoid falling into the trap!

A woman from Carinthia has fallen victim to a sophisticated crypto fraud. At the beginning of July 2025, she registered on a supposed trading website that was promoted by well-known personalities. Shortly after registering, she came into contact with a man who posed as a broker and convinced her to transfer a low five-figure amount to a foreign account. She was put under further pressure under the pretext of promising high profits. Contact was made via email and WhatsApp, which is a common method for such scams and often takes place without being asked, as Klick Kärnten reports.

Things became particularly critical after the woman installed software that allowed the alleged facility manager remote access to her PC. The perpetrator used this access to transfer Bitcoins worth a mid-five-figure amount from her wallet. The damage occurred between July 8th and August 25th, 2025. The police have already started investigations to clarify the background to the case.

Typical characteristics of crypto scams

Fraudulent trading platforms usually specialize in high returns, especially in crypto assets, foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFD). They present themselves as experts and offer supposedly profitable trading strategies, while victims invest under the assumption that they have been given good advice. During the process, they often even receive fake profit reports on their accounts, which are generated by simulated price increases, as ZDF today explains. This technique results in investors being gradually drawn into the scam.

Online fraud not only affects crypto assets, but also other areas such as trading in stocks or commodities. Sophisticated fraudsters often use call centers to contact their potential victims and use psychologically trained techniques to build trust. Particular caution is required when considering promises of high profits that can be achieved without significant investment. Banks and savings banks also do not actively contact customers about online trading offers, which should be another warning sign, as the Polizeiberatung also states.

Protection measures for investors

There are several important precautions investors should take to protect themselves from such scams. This includes obtaining comprehensive information before registering or transferring money to online platforms and, in particular, checking the reliability of the platform. Unusually high winnings with low stakes should always be viewed critically. Under no circumstances should sensitive data or identification documents be transmitted or money transferred to unknown accounts.

In the event of fraud, it is advisable to inform the police immediately. Computers and telephones can be important pieces of evidence that help solve the fraud. It is also important to be vigilant, as fraudsters often try to get money again through so-called “recovery scams” ​​by posing as helpers who promise to get the lost money back.

With the total loss from crypto fraud now estimated at nearly $1.3 billion, it is even more important that those affected are vigilant and aware of the risks before investing in volatile markets.