澳洲證券與投資事務監察委員會（ASIC）已發布警告，指出詐騙集團使用通訊軟體與假冒加密貨幣交易平台，來鎖定零售投資人。ASIC 表示，詐騙者會引誘受害者加入 WhatsApp 與其他通訊群組，聲稱能提供股票提示與加密貨幣交易策略，接著再把使用者導向展示虛構獲利與帳戶餘額的詐欺平台。存入的資金並未投資到真實資產，而是直接流向詐騙者所營運的平台。該警告反映出全球監管機關對於與數位資產投機以及社群媒體投資社群相關的詐欺案件上升所帶來的關切。
How Scammers Exploit Social Trading Communities
ASIC explained that scammers typically begin by advertising investment opportunities or stock tips through social media platforms before inviting users into messaging groups impersonating well-known financial figures or trading communities. Victims are then encouraged to deposit money into fake crypto trading platforms that simulate live trading activity and profits using fabricated market data.
When victims attempt to withdraw funds, scammers demand additional fees under the pretense of unlocking investments or releasing profits. Those payments also go directly to fraudsters, while users remain unable to recover their original deposits. ASIC also warned that scammers increasingly target victims already exposed to pump-and-dump schemes by offering fraudulent "recovery services" claiming they can retrieve lost funds.
The scam structure combines social engineering, mobile messaging, fake trading interfaces, and cryptocurrency narratives into coordinated operations. Unlike older investment scams relying on cold calls or emails, many modern fraud campaigns now imitate online investing communities and influencer-driven trading culture.
Younger Investors Face Greater Exposure
ASIC referenced Moneysmart research showing widespread exposure among younger Australians to crypto-related advertising and social media investment promotion. According to the survey, 23% of Australians aged 18 to 28 reported owning crypto assets, while 29% said they engaged in short-term trading influenced by social media personalities.
The research also found that 72% of Gen Z respondents had seen crypto-related advertisements on social media, while 41% reported direct contact from someone encouraging crypto investment activity. These findings illustrate how digital asset investing increasingly overlaps with influencer culture, online trading communities, and social media engagement—environments that create fertile ground for coordinated fraud.
ASIC 對投資人的指引
ASIC 呼籲投資人避免採取在社群媒體或通訊群組中收到的理財建議，並建議查核企業是否出現在 Virtual Asset Service Provider Register（虛擬資產服務提供者登記名冊）中。監管機關也建議使用者核實企業或個人是否獲得授權，可透過 ASIC 的 public databases（公開資料庫）與 investor alerts（投資人警示）確認其提供投資產品的資格。
ASIC 提醒投資人，在澳洲提供虛擬資產服務的企業必須向 AUSTRAC 註冊，並遵守反洗錢與反恐怖融資的義務。
