{"id":2021,"date":"2025-04-03T12:08:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T09:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/?p=2021"},"modified":"2026-04-18T14:50:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T11:50:29","slug":"%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b9%d0%bd-%d0%b8%d0%b7%d0%bc%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d0%b8%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%bd%d0%b8-%d1%81%d1%85%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%b4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b9%d0%bd-%d0%b8%d0%b7%d0%bc%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d0%b8%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%bd%d0%b8-%d1%81%d1%85%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%b4\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Frauds and Pyramid Schemes \u2013 The Digital Trap of the Modern World and How to Deal with Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4323\" data-end=\"4666\">With the development of the internet and digital technologies, fraud has changed its form \u2013 from the classic deceitful merchant to an anonymous social media profile or a well-designed \u201cinvestment\u201d website. In this context, online fraud and pyramid schemes are among the most widespread forms of economic crime in the digital age.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4668\" data-end=\"4779\"><strong data-start=\"4668\" data-end=\"4684\">Legal basis:<\/strong> Criminal Code (Art. 209 \u2013 fraud) and the Consumer Protection Act \u2013 in cases of online trade.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4781\" data-end=\"4954\">Online fraud is deliberate deception aimed at unlawful gain, carried out through electronic means \u2013 social networks, email, e-commerce platforms, investment websites, etc.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4956\" data-end=\"4974\"><strong data-start=\"4956\" data-end=\"4972\">Legal basis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4975\" data-end=\"5107\">\n<li data-start=\"4975\" data-end=\"5021\">\n<p data-start=\"4977\" data-end=\"5021\">Art. 209 CC \u2013 fraud for pecuniary benefit;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5022\" data-end=\"5107\">\n<p data-start=\"5024\" data-end=\"5107\">Electronic Commerce Act \u2013 in cases of misleading information or unfair practices.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5109\" data-end=\"5404\">A pyramid scheme is a financial model where income is not generated from real activity but from contributions of new participants. The scheme collapses once the flow of new investors decreases. Many of these are disguised as \u201cinvestment clubs,\u201d \u201cmarketing platforms,\u201d or \u201csharing communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5406\" data-end=\"5424\"><strong data-start=\"5406\" data-end=\"5422\">Legal basis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5425\" data-end=\"5574\">\n<li data-start=\"5425\" data-end=\"5491\">\n<p data-start=\"5427\" data-end=\"5491\">Anti-Money Laundering Act \u2013 if financial crimes are suspected;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5574\">\n<p data-start=\"5494\" data-end=\"5574\">Financial Instruments Markets Act \u2013 for \u201cinvestment\u201d offers without a license.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5576\" data-end=\"5801\"><strong data-start=\"5576\" data-end=\"5599\">Criminal liability:<\/strong><br data-start=\"5599\" data-end=\"5602\" \/>According to the Criminal Code, fraud is punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 6 years. For aggravated cases \u2013 large-scale fraud, recidivism, or multiple victims \u2013 punishment reaches up to 10 years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5803\" data-end=\"5821\"><strong data-start=\"5803\" data-end=\"5819\">Legal basis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5822\" data-end=\"5961\">\n<li data-start=\"5822\" data-end=\"5875\">\n<p data-start=\"5824\" data-end=\"5875\">Arts. 209 ff. CC \u2013 ordinary and aggravated fraud;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5876\" data-end=\"5911\">\n<p data-start=\"5878\" data-end=\"5911\">Art. 253 CC \u2013 money laundering;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5912\" data-end=\"5961\">\n<p data-start=\"5914\" data-end=\"5961\">Civil Procedure Code \u2013 to claim compensation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5963\" data-end=\"6006\"><strong data-start=\"5963\" data-end=\"6004\">How to recognize frauds and pyramids?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6007\" data-end=\"6330\">\n<li data-start=\"6007\" data-end=\"6066\">\n<p data-start=\"6009\" data-end=\"6066\">Promises of quick profits without risk \u2013 be suspicious;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6067\" data-end=\"6144\">\n<p data-start=\"6069\" data-end=\"6144\">Requests to enter banking details on unknown websites \u2013 stop immediately;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6145\" data-end=\"6246\">\n<p data-start=\"6147\" data-end=\"6246\">Pressure to \u201cinvest\u201d via apps or cryptocurrencies without a licensed company \u2013 a pyramid warning;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6247\" data-end=\"6330\">\n<p data-start=\"6249\" data-end=\"6330\">The main activity is \u201cinvite more people and you will earn\u201d \u2013 that is a scheme.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6332\" data-end=\"6350\"><strong data-start=\"6332\" data-end=\"6348\">Legal basis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6351\" data-end=\"6495\">\n<li data-start=\"6351\" data-end=\"6424\">\n<p data-start=\"6353\" data-end=\"6424\">Consumer Protection Act \u2013 ban on misleading and aggressive practices;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6425\" data-end=\"6495\">\n<p data-start=\"6427\" data-end=\"6495\">Electronic Identification Act \u2013 in cases of online identity theft.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6497\" data-end=\"6527\"><strong data-start=\"6497\" data-end=\"6525\">How to protect yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6528\" data-end=\"6827\">\n<li data-start=\"6528\" data-end=\"6591\">\n<p data-start=\"6530\" data-end=\"6591\">Check licenses and registration (BNB, FSC, EU authorities);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6592\" data-end=\"6676\">\n<p data-start=\"6594\" data-end=\"6676\">File a report with the Prosecution, Cybercrime Department of GDBOP, CPC, or FSC;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6677\" data-end=\"6746\">\n<p data-start=\"6679\" data-end=\"6746\">Keep all evidence (correspondence, bank statements, screenshots);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6747\" data-end=\"6792\">\n<p data-start=\"6749\" data-end=\"6792\">Do not share personal data and passwords;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6793\" data-end=\"6827\">\n<p data-start=\"6795\" data-end=\"6827\">Use verified online platforms.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6829\" data-end=\"7017\"><strong data-start=\"6829\" data-end=\"6844\">Conclusion:<\/strong><br data-start=\"6844\" data-end=\"6847\" \/>Online frauds and pyramid schemes are dynamic and often well-disguised forms of crime. Legislation provides protection \u2013 but it begins with our vigilance and awareness.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7019\" data-end=\"7222\">If you or your relative are victims of online fraud or a pyramid scheme, it is best to consult a criminal law attorney. This article does not constitute legal advice or opinion from Atty. 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[&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3166,3167,2651,3172,3168,1223,2448,3165,3163,3060,3169,3170,3173,3164,3171,2969,3161,3162,765,1264,606,3159,762,43,713,766,750,764,760,753,759,754,756,3157,751,749,3152,2978,211,763,744,3160,3158,221,746,3150,2984,747,3151,758,761,3016,3156,748,1249,3153,752,755,757,3154,2477,3155],"class_list":["post-2021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1","tag-art-209-cc","tag-art-253-cc","tag-atty-mihail-tomov","tag-bnb","tag-consumer-protection-act","tag-criminal-code","tag-cybercrime","tag-digital-technologies","tag-digital-trap","tag-economic-crime","tag-electronic-commerce-act","tag-electronic-identification-act","tag-fsc","tag-internet-threat","tag-licensing","tag-money-laundering","tag-online-fraud","tag-pyramid-scheme","tag-765","tag-1264","tag-606","tag-3159","tag-762","tag-43","tag-713","tag-766","tag-750","tag-764","tag-760","tag-753","tag-759","tag-754","tag-756","tag-3157","tag-751","tag-749","tag-3152","tag-2978","tag-211","tag-763","tag-744","tag-3160","tag-3158","tag-221","tag-746","tag-3150","tag-2984","tag-747","tag-3151","tag-758","tag-761","tag--209-","tag--253-","tag-748","tag-1249","tag-3153","tag--210-","tag-3154","tag-2477","tag-3155"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2021"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2690,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2021\/revisions\/2690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tomovi.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}