A group of call centres based in Tbilisi, Georgia, has orchestrated a sophisticated scam, swindling unsuspecting savers out of an estimated $35 million. The fraudulent scheme relied heavily on deceptive online adverts and news articles, which cunningly featured endorsements from well-known celebrities. High-profile figures such as Zoe Ball and Ben Fogle were unknowingly used to promote these scams, drawing in victims through sites like Facebook and Google.
The fraudulent adverts promised lucrative returns through cryptocurrency trading platforms. These platforms purportedly operated with advanced artificial intelligence to handle buying and selling, enticing potential investors with promises of substantial winnings. However, the reality was far from the glittering promises; the schemes were designed to defraud individuals of their savings.
The Guardian has launched an investigation to uncover the masterminds behind these fake adverts and news articles. Aiming to understand the breadth of the scam, they are probing into which platforms these fraudulent materials are being circulated on. Furthermore, The Guardian is determined to identify those responsible for placing these misleading adverts that have misled countless victims.
Social media platforms, a common ground for the spread of these fake adverts, played a significant role in the scam's reach. The adverts were meticulously crafted to appear legitimate, utilizing fake news articles and celebrity endorsements to lure individuals into investing in the crypto platforms.
As part of their ongoing investigation, The Guardian is actively seeking assistance from the public. They are requesting individuals who have encountered these fraudulent adverts or news articles to share links, helping to map out the extent of this deceitful campaign. This crowd-sourced effort aims to bring greater transparency to the issue and assist in holding those responsible accountable.