The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued a strong warning against fraudulent emails claiming to be from CySEC personnel. These deceptive messages aim to deceive recipients into transferring money under false pretenses.
CySEC has urged all licensed entities and investors to remain vigilant and promptly report any such communications. Identifying characteristics of these scams include:
1. Using the name of CySEC alongside the forged signature of a person who does not exist as a CySEC employee.
2. Misrepresenting official communications, offering services that include:
– The supposed release of funds through an “Identification Key” contingent on the payment of a fee.
– The fraudulent proposition of a “Trading Certificate” necessary for legitimizing transactions or activities within the markets, which also implies a payment requirement.
3. Soliciting advance payments of significant amounts, falsely framed as compliance with regulatory obligations.
The commission emphasizes that it does not solicit or accept payments or fees from individual investors for issuing any “certificates” or for the “release of funds.” Furthermore, CySEC has not authorized any third party to perform these actions on its behalf.
To verify the authenticity of communications, recipients should note that legitimate emails from CySEC will always end with the domain @cysec.gov.cy. Individuals are encouraged to exercise caution and discernment to avoid falling victim to these types of scams.