A cryptolute scam in Austria. Ten thousand people were killed

This could be one of the biggest crimes related to the most popular cryptocurrency in the world. In Austria, there was a mysterious disappearance of money that was introduced into the Optiment system. The victims of frauds could also be Poles.

Vienna is the epicentre of cryptocurrency fraud, where probably even 10,000 people have introduced bitcoins into the “Optiment” system – reports Die Presse. They were to receive a return of 1.5%, 2% or even 4% per week for depositing bitcoin.

For several months, everything was fine, small amounts were paid. Until then: the system collapsed in late November 2017. In mysterious ways, the money is gone, and local system distributors are accusing the crime of a “secret trader”. The value of fraud may total more than EUR 80 million. There may also have been investors from Poland or Romania as well, says Bloomberg.

At the end of January, the matter was dealt with by the Financial Market Authority. It is suspected that the Optiment may have been a financial pyramid. I want Interpol on this. Two Austrians have been detained for the time being, but there are also citizens of Latvia, Germany and Denmark among the suspects.

The cryptocurrency theme was one of the most frequently addressed issues during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki then announced that “the trade of cryptocurrency in Poland will be banned or regulated”.

By the end of January, the government adopted a bill to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. The aim is to bring European anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations into line with the requirements of the revised Financial Action Task Force recommendations, as well as cooperation between Member States’ financial intelligence units and to develop a common policy towards third countries.

Prime Minister Morawiecki also established a special team on dangerous financial instruments, which includes the President of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection, the President of the Financial Supervision Commission, as well as the Minister, the coordinator of special services, the National Prosecutor, the Minister of the Interior. At the end of February, they are expected to provide a list of recommendations on how to limit the risk of investing in the cryptocurrency and forex market.