Offers that promise large profits within a short period of time. The company usually operates solely online and it is difficult to determine its reliability.
If you invest in the scam and transfer money, the scammers will keep promising that a large payout is just around the corner. To build trust, scammers may pay out small amounts, encouraging victims to invest more. It is generally worth noting that promises of large profits within a short period of time (and with no effort) are usually too good to be true. Do not make any further payments.
Once you have given your phone number or email address, it is common for scammers to keep contacting you and pressuring you to invest more, even if you have clearly stated that you do not want to invest with them. We recommend that you ignore these types of calls and emails. Scammers will usually stop harassing you when they realise their efforts are futile.
Specific measures
Preventive measures
How the NCSC can help
Further Information
- Do not transfer any more money.
- Do not pay any alleged fees that are supposedly necessary to get the money returned.
- It is not uncommon for scammers to contact you again (sometimes years later). Be wary of lawyers, companies or authorities who suddenly contact you and promise that, for a fee, they will be able to get you your money back.
- If you have suffered a financial loss, we recommend that you report it to the police. You can find your nearest police station on the Suisse ePolice website.
- Check whether the financial service provider has been authorised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
- You should be particularly careful if the financial service provider is not authorised. Check out the financial service provider using online reviews.
- FINMA also maintains a non-exhaustive warning list:
- Never let salespeople put you under pressure.
The greater the promised return, the greater the risk.
- The NCSC reports suspected scam websites with a link to Switzerland to law enforcement authorities so that they can take appropriate action with the provider or registrar concerned.
- Your report via the online form helps the NCSC identify trends. This makes it possible for the NCSC to raise public awareness in a targeted way.
Last modification 15.04.2024
