澳大利亚证券与投资委员会（ASIC）发布警告，称诈骗分子使用即时通讯应用以及虚假的加密货币交易平台，以零售投资者为目标。ASIC 表示，诈骗分子会引诱受害者进入 WhatsApp 以及其他消息群组，声称提供股票建议和加密货币交易策略，然后将用户引导至展示捏造利润和账户余额的欺诈平台。存入的资金并不会投资于真实资产，而是直接流向在这些平台上运作的诈骗分子。该警告反映了各国监管层对因数字资产投机以及社交媒体投资社群而导致的诈骗行为上升所持的担忧。
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 面向投资者的指导
ASIC 督促投资者不要根据通过社交媒体或消息群组获得的金融建议行事，并建议核查企业是否出现在 AUSTRAC 的 Virtual Asset Service Provider Register 名录中。监管机构还建议用户核实，公司或个人是否通过 ASIC 的公开数据库和投资者预警获得许可或获授权提供投资产品。
ASIC 提醒投资者，在澳大利亚提供虚拟资产服务的企业必须向 AUSTRAC 注册，并遵守反洗钱以及反恐融资义务。
