A sophisticated cryptocurrency scam has surfaced in Taiwan, leaving victims defrauded of over NT$50 million (US$1.5 million) in Tether (USDT) investments.
The Accused Masterminds in Taiwan
The Keelung District Prosecutors’ Office has indicted four individuals: Li, Hong, Dai, and Zhang. Collaborating with international fraud rings, these suspects primarily targeted their prey through LINE chat groups, a recent Taiwan News report reveals.
Initially posing as seasoned investment consultants, the culprits enticed their targets with stock investment opportunities. Seamlessly, after securing their trust, the conversation transitioned to cryptocurrency. This bait-and-switch tactic showcased their calculated approach.
Follow CryptoMode on Twitter, Youtube and TikTok for news updates! The quartet introduced victims to purchasing Tether and creating crypto wallets to facilitate their scheme. Ingeniously, they launched counterfeit websites and apps, ensuring the victims witnessed ‘genuine’ transaction confirmations, deepening their trust.
Once the victims transferred their money for Tether acquisition, these fraudsters swiftly rerouted the funds to the primary orchestrators of the scam. Thus far, investigations have pinpointed at least 10 unfortunate victims. Astoundingly, the largest reported individual loss stands at a whopping NT$4 million (approximately US$144,000).
A Closer Look at Tether
Tether, undeniably, reigns as the market’s leading stablecoin. Ideally, a single Tether token equates to one US dollar. Its closest rival, Circle’s USDC, lags with about half the market capitalization. Yet, Tether’s dominance is shadowed by ongoing debates surrounding its dollar reserve sufficiency to underpin the tokens in circulation.
Shockingly, all four suspects have confessed to the heinous crimes of systematic fraud, money laundering, and more. In light of this, the Keelung District Court sanctioned their detention. The probing continues, as more victims might ensnared in this intricate scam web.
As the global interest in cryptocurrency swells, so does the creativity of scammers. This incident serves as a stern reminder for investors to exercise utmost caution and due diligence in their investment pursuits. Never rush into anything without knowing all the facts.
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