The police have been investigating a growing number of fraudulent phone calls concerning bogus profit from investment in cryptocurrencies. In 2023, more than 500 people were scammed in this way and lost around €13 million in total. Fraudsters have been very successful again this year, with the police having received around 160 reports and the total loss amounting to around €2.9 million.

The scam goes as follows: You receive a phone call from somebody who introduces themselves as a crypto exchange employee. They assure you, in accented Slovene, that there are several thousand euros waiting for you in your virtual wallet. To be able to withdraw these funds, you need to install a remote desktop application (Anydesk) on your computer and/or mobile device. Victims install the app, mistakenly believing that it will allow them to withdraw the funds. What they do not realise is that the scammers can use the app to control their computer or phone, access their online bank and steal any funds available in the victim's bank account.

To avoid being scammed:

• do not answer calls from unknown international phone numbers,
• sometimes calls come from bogus Slovenian numbers – if you have answered a call with an offer of cryptocurrency earnings, disconnect the call immediately,
• do not install remote access apps on your computer or phone,
• do not let anyone control your computer or phone,
• do not give anyone access to, or share your password for access to your online bank,
• if you have been scammed, collect all available documents (emails, transaction details, mobile numbers, email addresses, IP numbers, etc.) and report the scam as soon as possible to the nearest police station and to your bank.