www.fsc.bg<\/a>.<\/p>\nIn addition, the FSC regularly publishes a list of \u201cUnauthorized entities\u201d<\/strong> that operate without permission under the Markets in Financial Instruments Act (MFIA)<\/strong>.
If the platform where you plan to invest does not appear in any of these registers \u2014 do not invest<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFor crypto assets, it is essential to verify whether the platform is registered under EU Regulation (EU) 2023\/1114 (MiCA)<\/strong>, which introduces a unified licensing regime across the European Union starting from 2025.<\/p>\nAccording to official analyses by the European Commission<\/strong> and Europol<\/strong>, more than 70% of crypto scams begin with social media advertisements promising \u201chigh profits with no risk.\u201d
This is a major warning sign. Legitimate financial intermediaries never guarantee profits<\/strong> and never require immediate transfers after a phone call.<\/p>\nThe European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)<\/strong> advises citizens to be particularly cautious when they see ads featuring the logos of well-known banks, international exchanges, or public figures \u2014 these are often forged.<\/p>\nThe FSC<\/strong> and ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity)<\/strong> recommend always checking the website address of any platform.
Many fraudulent sites use domain names similar to real ones \u2014 for example, \u201cinvest-bnb.com\u201d instead of \u201cbnb.bg\u201d.
The absence of a physical address, company ID number, management data, or phone contact is a serious red flag.<\/p>\nGDBOP (General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime)<\/strong> warns that in many cases, \u201cconsultants\u201d from fake investment platforms ask users to grant access to their phone or computer screens through programs such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
This allows the fraudsters to take control of the device and make unauthorized banking operations.
Never provide remote access<\/strong> to your device and never share authentication codes.<\/p>\nAccording to Europol<\/strong> and the MoI<\/strong>, dozens of fake applications imitate legitimate brokers or crypto exchanges.
Before downloading any app, make sure it is published by an official issuer<\/strong> (e.g., Binance, Kraken, Revolut, etc.) and has genuine reviews.
ENISA<\/strong> recommends downloading apps only from official stores such as Google Play or the App Store<\/strong>, and never from links received via email or chat messages.<\/p>\nIf you have transferred money to a suspicious platform, immediately notify your bank<\/strong> and file a report with:<\/p>\n\n- \n
GDBOP \u2013 Cybercrime Department<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n- \n
Financial Supervision Commission (FSC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n- \n
National Revenue Agency (NRA)<\/strong> \u2013 if there are signs of illegal financial activity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor cross-border cases, the complaint may also be submitted via the Europol cybercrime reporting platform<\/strong>.
In certain cases, if the funds were transferred within the EU, banks may freeze the transactions<\/strong> if action is taken quickly.<\/p>\nVictims of crypto scams have the right to seek protection under Articles 209 and 212a of the Bulgarian Criminal Code<\/strong>, as well as to file a civil claim under Articles 45 et seq. of the Obligations and Contracts Act<\/strong> for compensation of the damages.
International cooperation through the Prosecutor\u2019s Office<\/strong> and Eurojust<\/strong> is also possible when the money flows through foreign jurisdictions.<\/p>\nProtection against fake investment platforms requires critical thinking and verification at every step \u2014 from registration to the transfer of funds.
Bulgarian and EU legislation provide the necessary protection mechanisms, but their effectiveness depends on the timely reaction of citizens<\/strong>.
The safest approach is to trust only licensed intermediaries<\/strong>, never share personal data, and regularly check official warnings from the FSC, MoI, and Europol<\/strong>.<\/p>\nThis article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases related to crypto fraud or investment scams, you should consult a qualified lawyer Mihail Tomov specializing in criminal and financial law.<\/p>\n