Cryptocurrency scams are growing and becoming traceable Dino

Among the most common scams are fake brokers, investment consulting firms promising fixed profits and supposed mentors offering guaranteed profits. According to lawyer Elisangela B. Taborda, these schemes have also expanded to include messaging groups, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers present themselves as teachers, analysts or mediation employees. In these spaces, the “social proof” of high-earning people is disseminated daily, in a scenario carefully crafted to inspire trust. The images and videos used show supposed investors in corporate environments, portrayed as successful doctors, lawyers, or CEOs, and are often created using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance a sense of credibility. According to the expert, this combination of professional appearance and artificial results is one of the most effective strategies to persuade victims to invest increasingly larger sums.

Lawyer Elisângela B. Taborda, who specializes in financial and crypto fraud, stated that the lack of technical information is one of the main factors that favor fraudsters. According to her, current scams go far beyond financial pyramids and involve the creation of fake brokerage companies and fictitious profiles of investment experts. Many of these schemes use AI resources to create images and videos of supposed analysts, educators, or brokerage employees, with logos and scenarios that mimic real corporate environments.

According to the professional, what in most cases appears to be a legitimate brokerage is just a virtual platform that simulates profits. She explains that the victim makes real deposits, sends receipts and sees the value “grow” within the fraudulent system, which is nothing more than a facade created to deceive. According to the expert, these numbers are manipulated to show profits much higher than the market, which leads to new contributions. He says the promise of quick and continuous income prompts many people to take out loans, sell assets or give away their own assets.

She points out that the profits promised by scammers often defy any financial logic. In many cases, fraudulent platforms offer supposed daily returns of up to 10%, which makes an investment of just ten thousand riyals exceed, in one year, the total value of the world’s GDP, which is estimated at $110 trillion. “It is something completely unreal. At first glance it may seem exaggerated or even comical, but it is a very serious problem. These numbers were created precisely to convince the victim that he has a unique opportunity,” highlights Elisangela Taborda.

She explains that despite the decentralization of cryptocurrencies, all transactions are recorded in a public system called blockchain. This record, as shown by forensic studies in the field of blockchain and cybersecurity, allows the identification of the path taken by values, from origin to destination, and enables the adoption of legal measures. This process is technical and depends on the work of specialists who understand how technology works and the legal tools available.

“Tracking requires blockchain analysis and specific legal procedures. With the right tools, it is possible to identify wallets, follow the flow of transactions and, in many cases, obtain the values ​​locked within intermediaries,” he explains. She highlights that time is a crucial factor, as the faster the victim reacts, the greater the chances of locating resources before they are converted into other currencies or transferred to jurisdictions with which cooperation is difficult.

The lawyer notes that in recent years, court decisions in Brazil have recognized the feasibility of banning cryptocurrencies in fraud investigations. In some cases, it has been possible to recover part or even all of the amounts. These precedents, according to her, show that although cryptocurrencies operate outside the traditional banking system, they are not immune to access to justice.

For victims of fraud, the specialist advises that the first steps should be to file a police report, collect evidence such as conversations, proof of deposits and wallet addresses and seek specialist legal advice. He explains that tracking crypto assets requires technical and legal knowledge, as well as access to forensic tools that map the flow of transactions.

In addition to reactive measures, the specialist reinforces the importance of prevention. Being wary of promises of guaranteed gains, checking brokerage records and ensuring the identity of those offering investment opportunities are positions that significantly reduce the risk of loss. Digital fraud is evolving rapidly, and information is still the best form of protection. Lawyer Elisangela B. Taborda adds that awareness is essential to avoid new victims and that basic knowledge about how cryptocurrencies work makes a big difference when it comes to identifying fraudulent offers.