Currency Scam

Japan FSA raided Coincheck Inc

<div style="text-align: justify;">
TOKYO: Japan’s Financial Services Agency raided Coincheck Inc.’s offices a week after the cryptocurrency exchange lost about $500 million to hackers, hauling out documents and computers as evidence.</div>
<br />
The inspection was conducted to ensure security for users, Finance Minister Taro Aso said. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Friday morning, 10 FSA officials entered Coincheck’s premises to gain a better understanding of how the exchange is operating in light of the regulator’s business improvement order imposed earlier this week, an agency official told reporters in Tokyo.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The theft, which follows the disappearance of about $470 million worth of Bitcoins from the Mt. Gox exchange in 2014, sent shockwaves through the global virtual currency community. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22QseCzvivU/WnUq3T_wQ8I/AAAAAAAAW8g/MtYFsz1JzBsKJP9Xupq7a7sEgfG5LH4-ACLcBGAs/s1600/A%2Bman%2Bwalks%2Bpast%2Ba%2Bbuilding%2Bwhere%2BMt.%2BGox%252C%2Ba%2Bdigital%2Bmarketplace%2Boperator%252C%2Bis%2Bhoused%2Bin%2BTokyo%2BFebruary%2B25%252C%2B2014.%2BREUTERSToru%2BHanai%2BReuters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mt. Gox" border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22QseCzvivU/WnUq3T_wQ8I/AAAAAAAAW8g/MtYFsz1JzBsKJP9Xupq7a7sEgfG5LH4-ACLcBGAs/s1600/A%2Bman%2Bwalks%2Bpast%2Ba%2Bbuilding%2Bwhere%2BMt.%2BGox%252C%2Ba%2Bdigital%2Bmarketplace%2Boperator%252C%2Bis%2Bhoused%2Bin%2BTokyo%2BFebruary%2B25%252C%2B2014.%2BREUTERSToru%2BHanai%2BReuters.jpg" title="A man walks past a building where Mt. Gox, a digital marketplace operator, is housed in Tokyo February 25, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Reuters" /></a></div>
<br />
The incident has spurred calls for more regulation at a time when many governments are struggling to formulate a response to the digital-asset boom.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to Coincheck’s account of the incident, an unidentified thief stole 523 million coins tied to the NEM blockchain project, which were trading at about 94 U.S. cents at the time of the hack. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It wasn’t until around 11 a.m. on Friday morning - about eight hours after the initial breach - that Coincheck staff noticed an alert pointing to a sharp drop in their NEM coin reserves.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Coincheck has until Feb. 13 to to submit a report detailing the causes of the incident and how it will improve internal controls. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
FSA officials, who said that this is the first time that they’ve raided a cryptocurrency exchange, declined to comment on Coincheck’s financial condition. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are 16 registered exchanges, while 15 others have been allowed to operate pending formal approval, the FSA said. </div>
<br />
All of them have been ordered to detail their security measures to the FSA by the end of Friday. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have rebounded from their selloff on Friday, thanks in part to Coincheck’s assurances over the weekend that customers would be partially reimbursed. </div>
<br />
The FSA said that Coincheck will be allowed to continue trading Bitcoin and accept yen deposits. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More than $240 million worth of Bitcoin was traded on Coincheck in the past day, according to its website. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the victims of the Coincheck heist was Virtual Currency Girls, a newly formed eight-member group that mix wrestling masks with maid outfits to perform songs. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its management office was paying members with cryptocurrencies and had 2 million yen ($18,240) deposited at Coincheck. - Bloomberg</div>

Japan FSA raided Coincheck Inc

TOKYO: Japan’s Financial Services Agency raided Coincheck Inc.’s offices a week after the cryptocurrency exchange lost about $500 million t...

Police busted forex investments scam syndicate

<div style="text-align: justify;">
Malaysia police busted three syndicates involving forex investments, fake credit cards and breach of trust with the arrest of 16 individuals in separate raids conducted from Monday to Thursday.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urKnblmy9eM/Vz--pU-zkGI/AAAAAAAAUhc/0SGj913ybnkipx97iJ6ZFC7qvkLbZ7RJACLcB/s1600/Police%2Bbusted%2Bforex%2Binvestments%2Bscam%2Bsyndicate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="forex scam" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urKnblmy9eM/Vz--pU-zkGI/AAAAAAAAUhc/0SGj913ybnkipx97iJ6ZFC7qvkLbZ7RJACLcB/s1600/Police%2Bbusted%2Bforex%2Binvestments%2Bscam%2Bsyndicate.jpg" title="Police busted forex investments scam syndicate" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Selangor Commercial Crime investigation department chief ACP Mohd Sakri Ariffin said the breakthrough came when the police acting through a tip-off arrested five individuals including the mastermind on May 18.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The individuals were believe to be involved with a "non existent" foreign exchange trading also known as Forex.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The suspects aged between 28 and 40 believe to have been involved with fraudulent Forex investments with victims in the cases lost a total of RM5 million," he told reporters in a press conference in Selangor police headquarters here today.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mohd Sakry said the mastermind, identified as "Money King" lured victims through websites such as "www.nexusfx.com and www.mymoorescapital.com to persuade investors to invest a minimum US$1,000 (RM4,082).</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The suspects have been remanded and will be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We also request victims who had invested through the websites mentioned earlier and companies with the name of Real Biz Network and Matrix Galaxy to come forward to police and lodge your complaints," Mohd Sakry added.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1809369" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sun Daily</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>

Police busted forex investments scam syndicate

Malaysia police busted three syndicates involving forex investments, fake credit cards and breach of trust with the arrest of 16 individual...

HKMA warns public about bitcoin scam

<div style="text-align: justify;">
On February 11, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a statement to reminds public to be aware of the risks associated with Bitcoin. as reported before, Hong Kong Bitcoin Exchange <a href="http://www.currencyscam.com/2015/02/mycoin-gone-missing-with-387mil.html">MyCoin lost $387 Million of customers money</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpZq07D7huQ/VNtq2LKCDvI/AAAAAAAARgU/WvfoXDUQTOs/s1600/Hong%2BKong%2BMonetary%2BAuthority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hkma" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpZq07D7huQ/VNtq2LKCDvI/AAAAAAAARgU/WvfoXDUQTOs/s1600/Hong%2BKong%2BMonetary%2BAuthority.jpg" title="Hong Kong Monetary Authority" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are the actual press release by HKMA:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Regarding media enquiries about reports filed to the Police concerning a Bitcoin company, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority responds as follows:<br />
We noticed that people affected have reported their cases to the Police and the incident may involve fraud or pyramid schemes.  The HKMA does not comment on the specific case.<br />
The HKMA has repeatedly reminded the public through the media about the risks involved in Bitcoin trading. We would like to reiterate that Bitcoin is not a legal tender but a virtual “commodity”.  As Bitcoin does not have any backing - either in physical form or from the issuer – and its pricing is highly volatile, it does not qualify as a means of payment or electronic money.<br />
"Bitcoin and other similar virtual commodities are not regulated by the HKMA. Given the highly speculative nature of Bitcoin, we would like to remind the public to exercise extra caution when considering making transactions or investments with Bitcoin," said an HKMA spokesperson.<br />
Hong Kong Monetary Authority<br />
11 February 2015</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On January 10, HKMA made a statement about risks associated with virtual commodities to all authorized institutions. HKMA don't support virtual currencies such as Bitcoin because of their associated money laundering and terrorist financing risks. HKMA advice Hong Kong authorized institutions to notify and discuss with the HKMA before they offers to customers any product that involves or is linked to any virtual commodity (irrespective of whether the link has economic substance or is simply for marketing purposes).</div>
<br />
<br />

HKMA warns public about bitcoin scam

On February 11, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a statement to reminds public to be aware of the risks associated with Bitcoin. ...

20 MyCoin clients filed police reports

<div style="text-align: justify;">
At least 20 MyCoin clients has filed reports to the police this afternoon about what they complain was a pyramid scheme packaged as trading in the digital currency. The Hong Kong-based bitcoin trading platform, Mycoin has been reported gone missing with $387Mil of the client investment.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More clients are expected to follow suit this week, said lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung, who has received requests for assistance from dozens of MyCoin investors. At least five such clients who contacted another lawmaker, James To Kun-sun, also filed reports to police this afternoon.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8nV6a8YHzY/VNtb_nMi9aI/AAAAAAAARgA/Xe6jfOzdj0Y/s1600/The%2Bonline%2Bcurrency%2Bis%2Bseen%2Bas%2Ban%2Beasy%2Bpayment%2Bsystem%2Bfor%2Bcriminals%2BPhoto%2BAFP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bitcoin scam" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8nV6a8YHzY/VNtb_nMi9aI/AAAAAAAARgA/Xe6jfOzdj0Y/s1600/The%2Bonline%2Bcurrency%2Bis%2Bseen%2Bas%2Ban%2Beasy%2Bpayment%2Bsystem%2Bfor%2Bcriminals%2BPhoto%2BAFP.jpg" title="The online currency is seen as an easy payment system for criminals Photo AFP" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lawmaker Leung said he was upset by the Monetary Authority’s response that bitcoin is not a currency and thus does not fall under its oversight.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I told the [HKMA] that bitcoin is more than just an investment product,” he said, “In fact bitcoins can be used for shopping, which resembles [one of the functions] of currency so I am of the view that the HKMA can do more about this matter.”</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leung called on the authority to stop the sale of bitcoins in Hong Kong as some countries like Thailand did.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Asked if the fact that MyCoin clients were not given written proof of purchase would be a hurdle for police investigation or even reason for possible refusal to handle the cases, lawmaker To said investors had addressed cheques to the company which controls MyCoin, leaving a clear paper trail.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said computer records kept at MyCoin could be used to match the clients’ transaction records to prove they did have dealings with the company if police decided to pursue the case.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leonhard Weese, president of the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong, said the government had been clear from the start that bitcoin is a “very risky” investment.</div>
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1710179/mycoin-clients-file-police-reports-over-suspected-bitcoin-pyramid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">South China Morning Post</a><br />
<br />
<br />

20 MyCoin clients filed police reports

At least 20 MyCoin clients has filed reports to the police this afternoon about what they complain was a pyramid scheme packaged as trading...

Mycoin gone missing with $387Mil

<div style="text-align: justify;">
People who make an investment with Mycoin, a Hong Kong-based Bitcoin trading company fear they have fallen victim to a scam after it closed down, a lawmaker said Monday, adding losses could total HK$3 billion (US$386.9m).</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leung Yiu-chung said his office recently received reports from dozens of investors in Hong Kong who paid a total of HK$40 million into the scheme run online by MyCoin, but the total loss may be vastly more.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nDRpbdXWl8/VNqIAKRJuYI/AAAAAAAAReg/7Ix-5Vf94ko/s1600/Mycoin%2Bgone%2Bmissing%2Bwith%2B%24387Mil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mycoin" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nDRpbdXWl8/VNqIAKRJuYI/AAAAAAAAReg/7Ix-5Vf94ko/s1600/Mycoin%2Bgone%2Bmissing%2Bwith%2B%24387Mil.jpg" title="Mycoin gone missing with $387Mil" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The number of cases is increasing. These two days I received calls about more than 30 cases. We estimate more than 3,000 people and HK$3 billion are involved,” he told AFP.</div>
<br />
One investor said she spent HK$1.3 million in swap options for the virtual currency last September.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She said salespersons had told her she would recoup her investment in four months and make around 200-300 per cent profit in one year.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cryptocurrency was created in 2009 by a computer algorithm designed by one or more anonymous people.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has since become a form of e-money that offers a largely anonymous payment system and can be stored either virtually or on a user’s hard drive.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But its development has been marred by concerns about links to illegal activities and a lack of oversight.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tokyo-based MtGox, one of the longest-established Bitcoin exchanges, collapsed due to a suspected theft worth nearly half a billion dollars.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The value of a Bitcoin, which soared to over US$1,200 in 2013, was around US$285 in January. — AFP</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />

Mycoin gone missing with $387Mil

People who make an investment with Mycoin, a Hong Kong-based Bitcoin trading company fear they have fallen victim to a scam after it closed...

King Popper facing jailed for a £5.5mil Ponzi scam

<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘King Popper’ a nickname for a currency trader, Alex Hope, 25, is facing jail over £5.5m Ponzi scam after he spent £32,000 spraying himself with champagne at a Champagne Spray event in the five-star Grange Hotel near St Paul’s Cathedral earning him the title ‘King Popper’.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Alex boasted that he was a financial wizard as he swindled investors to fund his playboy lifestyle of exclusive nightclubs and gambling. He blew vast sums in exclusive casinos and in nightclubs around the world in a £2million binge.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFJEtNKmb1Q/VLFD3UY079I/AAAAAAAARWw/9spgznGxbtw/s1600/Alex%2BHope%2C%2Bof%2BCanary%2BWharf%2C%2Beast%2BLondon%2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="King Popper" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFJEtNKmb1Q/VLFD3UY079I/AAAAAAAARWw/9spgznGxbtw/s1600/Alex%2BHope%2C%2Bof%2BCanary%2BWharf%2C%2Beast%2BLondon%2C.jpg" title="Hope, of Canary Wharf, east London, denied one charge of fraud." /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He eventually landed an office job with City-based training school Forex Academy, then met his ‘mentor’ Raj Von Badlo, 56, while working as an independent trader at Zone Invest. By the end of 2011, investors were pouring cash into the trading scheme and huge sums were appearing in Hope’s bank account. Hope pocketed an ‘eye-watering’ £5.5million in just 13 months, between March 2011 and April 2012 - which he used as a ‘personal piggy bank’ to fund his extravagant lifestyle.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A jury of five men and six women unanimously found Hope guilty of fraud after just three hours and 57 minutes of deliberation. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The court heard the former Wembley stadium catering manager reinvented himself as a currency markets expert after teaching himself economics.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prosecutor Sarah Clarke said: ‘This was an event that was organised where people could go to this hotel and buy bottles of champagne and, in effect, spray them over each other.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Retired teacher Christopher Millard ploughed £25,000 of his own money into Hope’s fraud which saw him lose £15,000. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In one email to Mr Millard, he wrote: ‘I am a man of my word, I have never not paid anyone, let’s get that straight first and foremost.’</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hope and Von Badlo used extensive PR to lure investors into the scam and spent £3,000 a month of client’s cash on publicity provided by London PR firm Full Portion Media. In one ‘spectacularly successful’ promotional push, Hope and Von Badlo held a seminar at the four-star Copthorne Hotel in Slough on 10 March 2012.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Glossy folders informed potential investors about the ‘Alex Hope Private Fund’ and the crowd heard Hope needed £5m to start his ‘dream’ hedge fund.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was presented as a financial whizz-kid, capable of making huge profits for his investors at the same time as sustaining trading losses of £500,000 and capital liabilities of more than £3,500,000.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A second promotional stunt saw Von Badlo interview Hope outside the Old Trafford football stadium in September 2011 for a video intended to impress potential investors.</div>
<br />
In it Hope boasts: ‘It is very easy to make quite a lot of money.’<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hope was using new investors’ funds to pay off those who wanted to leave the scheme, in the classic Ponzi fashion.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After suspicions around his Forex fund grew, the Financial Services Authority intervened and arrested him. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ms Clarke said Hope told a ‘pack of lies’ and added his trading was ‘spectacularly unsuccessful’.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘The truth was this was not a successful trading scheme, in fact it wasn’t a trading scheme really at all - it was a fraud,’ said Ms Clarke.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He admitted violating City rules which state he must have a licence from to work on behalf of others, although he is allowed to trade currency for his own profit.</div>
<br />
He pleaded guilty to carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised by the FSA.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Von Badlo, of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, admitted making misleading statements and communicating an invitation or inducement to encourage investment activity following the collapse of the first trial.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Judge Deborah Taylor told Hope: ‘I am adjourning this case for sentencing until next Friday at this court, in the meantime you are remanded in custody.’ </div>
<br />
The pair will return to Southwark Crown Court on 16 January to be sentenced.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2903695/Trader-nicknamed-King-Popper-guilty-5-5m-Ponzi-scam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />

King Popper facing jailed for a £5.5mil Ponzi scam

‘King Popper’ a nickname for a currency trader, Alex Hope, 25, is facing jail over £5.5m Ponzi scam after he spent £32,000 spraying himself...

Currency Trader disappears with £130 Million

<div style="text-align: justify;">
A British currency trader disappears with £130 Million of his clients money. Joe Lewis, 59, has disappeared after admitting to his investors that his company had ceased trading five years ago. He also make his investors believe he was the multi-billionaire owner of Tottenham Hotspur FC.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The owner of Tottenham has no association whatsoever with the currency trader at the centre of this alleged fraud. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbJlR8VWolc/VJrEX42HZ0I/AAAAAAAARJ4/zAYPlsE-j48/s1600/Currency%2BTrader%2Bdisappears%2Bwith%2B%C2%A3130%2BMillion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Currency Trader" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbJlR8VWolc/VJrEX42HZ0I/AAAAAAAARJ4/zAYPlsE-j48/s1600/Currency%2BTrader%2Bdisappears%2Bwith%2B%C2%A3130%2BMillion.jpg" title="Currency Trader disappears with £130 Million" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Lewis's company's website has been deleted, except for a message on the homepage saying. "JL Trading is no longer trading."</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a response to investors who worried about their funds, Mr Lewis sent an email two weeks ago confessing that the company had been inactive since 2009, after it lost a substantial amount of money on foreign exchange deals.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From 2011 onwards only investors who were willing to put forward at least €20,000 could join his 'investment club'. Individual investments are said to have amounted to as much as €1.5m.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The email read: “JL Trading [Mr Lewis's company] ceased foreign exchange trading in 2009 following substantial losses and since that time the business has suffered further losses, which I have tried to make good through investments in a number of commercial projects.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"However, it is now clear that the business will not be able to recover its losses and must cease trading. This means that, contrary to what was reported to you previously, you cannot expect any payments in the future."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7094WEiQUk/VJrEsHMLloI/AAAAAAAARKA/hJIvkJHAND0/s1600/Joe%2BLewis%2Bfrom%2BJL%2BTrading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Joe Lewis" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7094WEiQUk/VJrEsHMLloI/AAAAAAAARKA/hJIvkJHAND0/s1600/Joe%2BLewis%2Bfrom%2BJL%2BTrading.jpg" title="Joe Lewis from JL Trading" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two days after the confession a final email was sent by Mr Lewis, which stated: "You have been sent an update this week which was worded by my lawyers, but I wanted everyone to know, I am not running away from things,” he continues, "please note, I have covered up my mistakes from everyone including my staff, no one else knew what was happening.”</div>
<br />
He expressed his regret, and said that he was doing his best to fix the situation.<br />
<br />
Professional footballers and golfers are understood to have been caught up in the scheme.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2884548/Currency-trader-wanted-130million-fraud-vanishes-hours-detectives-missed-chance-arrest-walked-police-station.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.dailymail.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
<br />

Currency Trader disappears with £130 Million

A British currency trader disappears with £130 Million of his clients money. Joe Lewis, 59, has disappeared after admitting to his investor...

US$2 million counterfeit scam, American arrested in Uganda

<div style="text-align: justify;">
An American have been arrested in Uganda for allegedly leading a large international counterfeiting ring. Ryan Gustafson, 27, set up an operation in Uganda that involved an elaborate reshipping process, an Internet network of contacts, rubber hand molds and bills hidden in fliers about a children’s charity.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mhYAnaz8q4/VJgDwf7PI3I/AAAAAAAARIA/czw1UhIld8o/s1600/Mr%2BRyan%2BAndrew%2BGustafson%2Bspeaks%2Bto%2Bone%2Bof%2Bhis%2Blawyers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ryan Andrew Gustafson" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mhYAnaz8q4/VJgDwf7PI3I/AAAAAAAARIA/czw1UhIld8o/s1600/Mr%2BRyan%2BAndrew%2BGustafson%2Bspeaks%2Bto%2Bone%2Bof%2Bhis%2Blawyers.jpg" title="Mr Ryan Andrew Gustafson speaks to one of his lawyers-PHOTO BY ABUBAKAR LUBOWA Daily Monitor" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The scheme unravelled when a fake $US100 bill passed at a Pittsburgh coffee shop last December was detected by bank employees, authorities said.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hickton and Eric Zahren, the special agent-in-charge of Pittsburgh’s U.S. Secret Service office, said investigators traced that bill to a Pittsburgh man and further investigation traced the money to Mr Gustafson, an American living in Kampala, Uganda. Gustafson also shipped the bills to others in Florida, Minnesota, Texas and Washington. They said about $US30,000 in counterfeit bills was passed in the Pittsburgh area.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSGkSnP6Nq4/VJgEmD-f82I/AAAAAAAARIM/STewHxGSA_Y/s1600/The%2Bmoney%2Bwas%2Bglued%2Binside%2Bcharitable%2BSave%2Bthe%2BChildren%2Bpamphlets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Child Sponsor" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSGkSnP6Nq4/VJgEmD-f82I/AAAAAAAARIM/STewHxGSA_Y/s1600/The%2Bmoney%2Bwas%2Bglued%2Binside%2Bcharitable%2BSave%2Bthe%2BChildren%2Bpamphlets.jpg" title="The money was glued inside charitable Save the Children pamphlets-Source AP" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLnou-i6wJs/VJgE0Q3XDVI/AAAAAAAARIU/5VUqLXps_14/s1600/a%2Bpair%2Bof%2BAnon%2BHands%2C%2Bused%2Bas%2Bgloves%2Bto%2Bobscure%2Bthe%2Bwearer's%2Bfingerprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anon Hands" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLnou-i6wJs/VJgE0Q3XDVI/AAAAAAAARIU/5VUqLXps_14/s1600/a%2Bpair%2Bof%2BAnon%2BHands%2C%2Bused%2Bas%2Bgloves%2Bto%2Bobscure%2Bthe%2Bwearer's%2Bfingerprints.jpg" title="a pair of Anon Hands, used as gloves to obscure the wearer's fingerprints-Source AP" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The money was glued inside charitable Save the Children pamphlets, and, investigators contend, Gustafson used a pair of rubber gloves modelled after his own hands to prepare the packages so he would not leave fingerprints. Despite that, Zahren said, Gustafson was tied to one of the packages by a fingerprint.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The money shipments also were sent through a series of unidentified people who relayed them through the mail. When the packages were received, a person was instructed to place the pamphlets in hot water to dissolve glue and free the money.</div>
<br />
on similar charges there and it’s not clear when or if he will be extradited to face charges in US.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The search in Uganda uncovered a pair of Anon Hands, used as gloves to obscure the wearer's fingerprints. Mr Gustafson is said to have located couriers through an online forum and established contact with them through private message.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Secret Service coordinated with Ugandan authorities to set up an undercover sting operation to purchase counterfeit currency from the suspect.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gustafson, who previously lived in Texas & Colorado, was arrested in Uganda December 11 and a subsequent search of his home netted a cache of fake Ugandan shillings, Congolese francs, Ghanaian cedis, Indian rupees and euros, as well as various counterfeiting materials.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
US authorities estimate the suspect flooded the market with nearly $2m (£1.28m) in counterfeit currencies.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Gustafson has been charged with conspiracy, selling and dealing in counterfeit currency, and unlawful possession of ammunition.</div>
<br />
He faces a lengthy prison sentence and a fine of $500,000.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-fake-dollar-cartel-was-traced-to-Uganda/-/688334/2563924/-/m1kouf/-/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daily Monitor</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30536890" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBC News</a>, <a href="http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/us-busts-2-million-counterfeit-scam/story-e6frfmci-1227161565693" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">news.com.au</a><br />
<br />
<br />

US$2 million counterfeit scam, American arrested in Uganda

An American have been arrested in Uganda for allegedly leading a large international counterfeiting ring. Ryan Gustafson, 27, set up an ope...

Ebola fundraisers scam

<div style="text-align: justify;">
Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are warning consumers that several Ebola fundraising page on GoFundMe was created to raise donations for Amber Joy Vinson, the nurse who traveled from Dallas to Cleveland and is currently being treated in Atlanta for Ebola. Several BBBs across the U.S have also reported on phone solicitation from an organization supposedly raising money to help with Ebola.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnjLXicjN94/VEUAQC3JxiI/AAAAAAAAQew/lsr0JRciCZg/s1600/Ebola%2Bfundraisers%2Bscam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ebola scam" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnjLXicjN94/VEUAQC3JxiI/AAAAAAAAQew/lsr0JRciCZg/s1600/Ebola%2Bfundraisers%2Bscam.jpg" title="Ebola fundraisers scam" /></a></div>
<br />
There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Ebola. Although there are experimental Ebola vaccines and treatments under development, these investigational products are in the early stages of product development, have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness, and the supply is very limited.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What is Ebola fundraisers scam</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You may get urgent appeals for aid by phone or mail, by e-mail, on websites, or even in person, claiming that they want to raise donations to assist Ebola victims or those out of work due to quarantines imposed after exposure to the virus. At this moment, there are more than 100 <b><span style="color: blue;">GoFundMe.com</span></b> pages raising money for various Ebola campaigns. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BBBs also reported on phone solicitation from an organization supposedly raising money to help with Ebola. When pressed, the caller says he is from a famous charity’s chapter in the Bronx, New York. BBB Metro New York confirmed that no such branch exists and that the solicitation is likely a scam.</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>How the scam work?</b><br />
1. They will try to make you feel an emotional connection between you and the Ebola patients. They will tell you a story about the victim that makes you think they are close friends/family with the victims.<br />
<br />
2. Some of the fund claimed that the Ebola Victim family authorized their effort to collect donation and there is no legitimate source to confirm about it.<br />
<br />
3. Most of the scammers are using GoFundMe pages to raised the money for the Ebola Victim but several bogus organizations have also been reported making a call claiming that they want to raise donations to assist Ebola victims.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How to Protect Yourself?</b><br />
If you’re asked to make a charitable donation, <a href="http://www.bbb.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Better Business Bureaus</a> (BBBs) shared these tips:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in connection with current events. “Look alike” websites resembling legitimate charitable organizations and international aid efforts are popping up. Check out the charity with the <b><span style="color: blue;">Give.org</span></b>, BBB’s national charity review organization.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Donate to charities you know and trust. You want to find a charity with a proven track record. The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Congress, has a Global Disaster Response Fund that supports the CDC’s work in West Africa.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Ask if a caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and what percentage of your donation goes to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. Don’t give out financial information — including your credit card or bank account number — unless you know the charity is reputable.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. Never click on links or open attachments in emails unless you know who sent it and what it is. Opening attachments — even in emails that seem to be from friends or family — can install malware on your computer.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. Verify the origins of any email or text messages soliciting donations for Ebola aid efforts.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
7. Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate or have been vetted. Research the charitable organization yourself.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
8. When texting to donate, first confirm the number with the source. The charge will show up on your mobile phone bill, but be aware that text donations are not immediate. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
9. Depending on the text message service used by the charity, it can take as much as 90 days for the charity to receive the funds.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
10. Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won’t have a record for tax purposes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>

Ebola fundraisers scam

Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are warning consumers that several Ebola fundraising page on GoFundMe was created to raise donations for Amb...