Police Probe Rs 132,000 Crypto Scam After 25 Year Old Shop Assistant Targeted

A 25-year-old shop assistant from Quatre Bornes has lost over Rs 132,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud initiated on TikTok. The victim filed an official police complaint on Thursday, 5 February, detailing how a week-long deception led her to transfer significant sums of money to scammers. An investigation has now been launched to track the beneficiaries of the stolen funds.

The Initial Hook

The ordeal began on 30 January when the woman was approached on the social media platform TikTok. A profile promising “rapid gains” convinced her to make an initial deposit of Rs 7,000.

Believing the opportunity to be legitimate, she proceeded with the transfer and established an account on what she thought was a cryptocurrency trading platform.

Escalating Demands

The scam intensified as the victim was presented with a digital interface showing fraudulent “profits.” Motivated by these fake returns, she was encouraged to invest further:

• 2 February: A transfer of Rs 55,000 was made.
• Follow-up: A second transfer of Rs 70,000 was sent to a different bank account.
• Total Loss: Rs 132,000.

Discovery of the Fraud

The shop assistant only realised she was the target of an “escroquerie” when the individuals behind the profile began demanding even more money.

Police are currently scrutinising the two bank accounts used in the transactions as they attempt to identify those responsible for the theft.

Source: l’Express