CySEC Warns of Fraudulent Website Impersonation and Fake Staff

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued a public warning about a new case of fraudulent impersonation of its website, https://www.cysec.gov.cy, as well as further cases of individuals fraudulently presenting themselves as CySEC staff.

CySEC identified a malicious website that is not affiliated with the regulator. Investors should be particularly vigilant when approached by fraudsters requesting payment of fees or other sums of money in exchange for the purported recovery of losses incurred as a result of investment in regulated or unregulated entities.

The regulator noted that it never contacts individuals by telephone or sends unsolicited correspondence and does not request personal data, financial or other information. It is therefore likely that such demands are part of a sophisticated online campaign to defraud investors.

CySEC also stated that it does not authorise, verify, monitor, or engage in any way in class actions, compensation schemes, payments between natural or legal entities or any public or private organisations. As a regulatory authority, CySEC has no authority or mandate to collect fees for any purpose from individual investors, nor does it have authority to appoint anyone to do so on its behalf.

CySEC urges the public to remain vigilant regarding any unsolicited communication purporting to be from CySEC and to refrain from sending money to anyone who claims to represent it.

Investors are urged to contact CySEC to confirm the authenticity of communications by sending an email to report.fraud@cysec.gov.cy before taking any action, and to inform CySEC of any suspicious activity that comes to their attention.