Key facts
- Nineteen French victims lost nearly €1.5 million to Albanian crypto scammers.
- Scammers operated fake cryptocurrency investment platforms from Tirana, Albania.
- The fraudsters used fake LinkedIn profiles and identity cards to appear credible.
- One victim lost €80,000 after an initial investment of €250.
- Five Albanian citizens were detained following collaboration between French and Albanian law enforcement.
A sophisticated crypto scam network based in Tirana, Albania, has defrauded 19 French individuals of approximately €1.5 million. The fraudsters operated fake cryptocurrency investment platforms, posing as American investment advisors and utilizing psychological manipulation tactics. They employed fake LinkedIn profiles and identity cards to establish credibility. The operation leveraged Tirana's multilingual workforce and low operating costs, making it an attractive base for fraudulent call centers. One former operator, identified as Jon, described his role in convincing victims to invest, earning a substantial salary well above Albania's minimum wage. He expressed no remorse for his actions, facing potential prison time for fraud. The investigation began after a complaint in 2023 regarding losses on the platform Universatrade.io. A raid on Albanian call centers uncovered victim data. Victims, like a French businesswoman named Chantal, described being drawn in by initial apparent gains before being pressured for further deposits. The scams are noted for their sophistication, with victims reporting a loss of dignity alongside their money.