Investment fraud can push victims toward extra mortgage borrowing or a rushed property sale. Fraudsters demand another tax, release fee or wallet check before releasing a fake crypto balance.
Why this matters
Between 2020 and 2024, 66,717 reported transactions were possibly linked to investment fraud. Of the payment transactions examined, 73% were completed, worth €608 million. For an owner-manager, pressure may reach a shareholder loan, refinancing file or business-property sale. The accounts can record the transfer, but that does not make its purpose sound.
Example
An owner-manager sees a large balance in a crypto portal. A supposed adviser demands a final compliance fee. After using personal savings, the owner puts a property up for sale. The buyer offers an advance and seeks a quick transfer below the expected value. The owner dismisses questions from the bank and family. If the portal balance were zero, the sale would have no commercial reason.
XTROVERSO tips
- Keep portal balances out of the cash file. Record money only when it can be independently verified and accessed. Do not book a platform balance as cash or a receivable.
- Document the transaction. For a major sale, loan or payment, keep the price, beneficiary, payment route and commercial reason in the file. Include contracts and valuations.
- Question the deadline. Ask who gains from the short deadline. Labels such as tax, wallet validation or compliance do not confirm that a payment is genuine.
- Use independent advice. Choose an adviser with no connection to the platform, promoter, buyer or payment recipient. Give them the full transaction file.
- Pause before value moves. Stop unfamiliar payments, refinancing and property transfers while concerns are reviewed. For property transfers, a notary can provide an independent final check.
Need an independent review of a pressured payment, sale or financing decision? We can review the file before money or ownership moves
The data, sourcing, and analysis behind this article were conducted by Paolo Maria Pavan. AI was not used to identify sources, build the factual basis, or produce the analytical judgment contained here. AI was used only as a drafting aid. The final English text was personally reviewed, edited, and approved by Paolo Maria Pavan before publication.
References
- Bureau Financieel Toezicht — Notarissen cruciaal in bestrijding boilerroomfraude
- Autoriteit Financiële Markten — Onzichtbare omvang van beleggingsfraude
- Autoriteit Financiële Markten — Estimated harm from investment fraud
- Bureau Financieel Toezicht — Pilot Rotterdam en de poortwachtersrol van de notaris
- Wettenbank — Wwft, artikel 16
