Recently, there has been an increase in cases where criminals are involving citizens in suspicious financial transactions by using their bank or crypto asset accounts, as well as electronic wallets or cards to transfer funds obtained through illegal means, hiding their true origin and beneficiaries. Individuals involved as intermediaries in such transactions are often referred to as 'proxy brokers'.
A 'proxy broker' can be any person, sometimes even unknowingly becoming involved in criminal activity. Criminals often find potential intermediaries through social networks, messaging apps, job advertisements, or online dating platforms, promising easy and quick income without work experience or professional qualifications.
Commonly offered are:
- to receive money in their own accounts, cards, or electronic wallets,
- to transfer the received money to others or cash it out,
- to provide third parties with access to their account, card, or electronic wallet details.
It is important to remember that providing access to your bank card, accounts, or electronic wallet to others or transferring funds belonging to others through them can lead to your involvement in money laundering or other criminal activities. Such actions can have legal consequences, even if you have not received compensation or fully understood the true purpose of the scheme.
How to protect yourself:
- Do not accept such offers that require you to use your accounts, electronic money wallets, or cards.
- Do not receive, transfer, or cash out funds belonging to others.
- Never provide others with your card details, account usernames and passwords, one-time verification codes, or remote access capabilities.
- If you receive such an offer, be vigilant and refuse it.
Remember, your accounts and financial instruments are intended solely for your personal use. Providing or allowing others to use them can inadvertently make you a participant in a criminal scheme.
