How to protect yourself from new online scams?
Imagine receiving a legitimate-looking email inviting you to invest in apromising cryptocurrency. Attracted by the wonderful returns, you click on the link, which takes you to a website similar in every way to that of a reputable exchange. Reassured, you proceed with the transaction, only to realize a few days later that you have just been the victim of a sophisticated scam.Phishing, deepfakes, fraudulent crypto-investments: digital scams are increasing, trapping many Internet users. Faced with these new kinds of threats, what are your legal recourses? How to prove fraud and prosecute? Maître Innocent Twagiramungu, an experienced lawyer based in Brussels, will guide you in asserting your rights.
Increasingly inventive 2.0 scammers
Taking advantage of the boom in digital technology and cryptoassets, cybercriminals are competing in ingenuity tofool their victims. Phishing techniques are becoming more sophisticated, perfectly imitating the visual identity and speech of legitimate actors. Deepfakes, content manipulated using artificial intelligence, are used to impersonate personalities to make a scam credible.
THEfake crypto-investment projectsare also multiplying, promising astronomical gains to better rob the unwary. Fake wallet, fictitious exchange platform, fake investment advisor: there is no shortage of stratagems to trap the saver. When the deception is discovered, it is often too late, the criminals having vanished with their digital loot, without leaving a trace.
Collecting evidence, a crucial step
If you are a victim of such a scam,react immediately. Every minute counts to preserve precious digital clues before they disappear. Capture screens of any suspicious interface, keep URLs, emails exchanged, transaction documents safe. These elements will be essential to characterize the offense and confound the culprits.
In Belgium,article 496 of the Penal Codepunishes fraud, defined as the act of deceiving a person by the use of a false name or a false capacity, by the abuse of a true capacity, or by the use of fraudulent maneuvers, and thus to induce them to hand over any funds, values or goods. A notion broad enough to encompass new forms of digital fraud, as recognized by recent case law.
Act quickly, with the right reflexes
To put all the chances on your side,file a complaint as soon as possiblefrom the police services, on site or online via the dedicated site. Each complaint enriches the body of clues and traces criminal networks. Do not hesitate to report the facts to your bank, as well as to the competent authorities such as the FSMA, which centralizes reports of fraudulent investments.
In these complex situations, be assisted by aexperienced criminal lawyeris a valuable asset. He will be able to rigorously qualify the facts with regard to criminal law, build a solid file to support your complaint, and represent you at each stage of the procedure, from the investigation to the criminal trial. Their intervention will promote recognition of your damage and compensation for your losses.
Caution and vigilance, your best allies
To protect yourself,adopt good cybersecurity reflexes. Systematically verify the identity of anyone asking you for a placement, by cross-checking the information. Use a dedicated email address and wallet, with strong authentication. Ask technical questions and be wary of unrealistic returns.
In Brussels, on the borders of Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Forest and Anderlecht,Master Twagiramungu’s office supports youfacing these digital challenges. A seasoned lawyer, experienced in the mysteries of criminal law, he deploys a tailor-made strategy to defend your interests and obtain compensation. Don’t wait to be doubly victimized. Request their expertise now to assert your rights!